SC issues notice to Delhi Police on allegation of harassment to petitioner in contempt case against DDA

New Delhi [India], July 10 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Delhi Police after the petitioner, who filed a contempt case against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) over illegal tree felling in Delhi Southern Ridge forest area, claimed harassment by the police.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih was told that the police were making enquiries in relation to the petitioners and had even sought details regarding their bank accounts.
Petitioners, including Delhi-based NGO New Delhi Nature Society, had filed case in the apex court related to the felling of trees by the DDA in the Ridge area. As the bench issued notice to Delhi police, it said, "We will look into this."
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan representing petitioners told the bench that the Delhi Police has been making enquiries regarding the petitioners and alleged that the police has reached out to their bank and demanded detailed information about the accounts.
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 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 Lt Governor VK Saxena 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.