Lieutenant Governor Faces Scrutiny Over Unauthorized Tree Felling in Ridge Forest
The Supreme Court has summoned Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG), VK Saxena, to explain the unauthorized cutting of trees in the Ridge Forest area, which violates previous court orders. The court is examining a series of contempt petitions that highlight significant tree felling despite earlier mandates to protect these trees.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra has instructed the LG, who also chairs the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), to file an affidavit detailing the officers responsible for this breach and any disciplinary actions taken. The court emphasized that trees could not be felled without its explicit permission.
The justices expressed the need for clarity on how the felling occurred without notifying the court, the accountability of DDA officials, and whether any criminal actions should be pursued against them. The bench made it clear that the LG must personally attest to the information in the affidavit, noting that failure to prevent further violations would lead to personal responsibility.
In defense, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the LG, argued that the LG’s role was limited to being a signing authority in a process initiated by the Environment and Forest Department. He contended that many of the court’s questions had already been answered and should not need reiteration.
However, the court insisted on direct accountability from the highest authority and expressed its expectation for the DDA to take proactive measures against any errant officials. It highlighted ongoing suo motu contempt proceedings against DDA Vice-Chairman Subhasish Panda, sparked by the cutting of over a hundred trees without court consent. The bench also criticized any attempts to obscure the LG’s involvement in the matter, demanding clear answers regarding the decision-making process behind the tree felling.
(With inputs from agency)
Share your news, articles, deals, columns, or press releases with us! Click the link to submit and join our platform today.
