SC asks Delhi LG to file affidavit on illegal tree felling in southern ridge area

New Delhi [India], October 16 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) chairperson VK Saxena, who is Delhi Lieutenant Governor, to file a personal affidavit making a full disclosure on various aspects relating to the large-scale felling of trees in the southern Ridge area.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra asked Saxena to file details in affidavit by October 22 about disciplinary action and criminal prosecution taken against erring officials.
The order of the apex court came on a contempt case initiated by it against the Vice Chairman of the DDA, Subhasish Panda, over the felling of about 1100 trees in southern ridge area of Delhi for road widening purposes.
The bench took into note LG's counsel Mahesh Jethmalani submission that the LG had visited the site on February 3 to expedite road widening process for better acces to a hospital to treat wounded personnel of central paramilitary forces.
However, the bench noting that the material on record was a little "ambiguous", it said that certain factual clarifications are needed and asked the LG to explain whether during his site visit there was any discussion with or intimation furnished to him on the permission required to be obtained from the top court for the felling of trees.
Saxena in his affidavit shall also specifically explain the manner in which the timber of the trees which were felled have been dealt with and indicate whether the timber has been inventoried.
The bench said that he shall take steps to affix accountability in respect of any act of omission or commission by the officials or any third parties involved and posted the matter for hearing on October 22.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by Delhi resident Bindu Kapurea, the NGO and others alleging that trees were cut despite a March 4 apex court order denying permission to the DDA and the fact that the trees had been cut was suppressed from the court.
In May, the top court had initiated a suo motu contempt of court case against DDA Vice-Chairman Subhasish Panda for felling of trees in violation of the apex court's orders in February this year.
In June the bench had noted that LG in his capacity as Chairman of the DDA had approved the proposal for cutting of trees and also visited the site in question.
It had then directed the Vice-Chairman of DDA to apprise it whether there was any record of the LG's visit and initiated the contempt of court proceedings.