Guwahati, May 22 -- A group of 71 retired civil servants from the All India and Central Services has written an open letter expressing concern over recent remarks made by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant during a Supreme Court hearing related to the Pipavav Port expansion project in Gujarat.

The signatories, operating under the banner of the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG), said the Chief Justice's comments against environmental activists could weaken environmental safeguards and discourage citizens from raising concerns about ecological damage and public health.

During the hearing of an appeal against a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that upheld environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone clearances for the Pipavav Port ex...