Kochi: In a surprising verdict, the Kerala High Court on Friday ordered the director of Department of Kerala Industry to plant 100 saplings. Justice Amit Rawal issued the order.

S. S. Chemicals, a company functioning in Kollam had submitted a request to the Department of Kerala Industry. A hearing on the request was held in 2016. However, the department did not issue any order based on the hearing.

Later, S. S. Chemicals approached the court and the HC directed K. Biju, director of Department of Kerala Industry to appear before it.

The order was issued after HC found that there was grave lapse from the part of the department. The court also directed the forest department to identify the spots where sapling needed to be planted.