Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court regarding the cutting of trees in the Ridge area following a court ban. He stated that he was unaware of the requirement for the Supreme Court’s permission to cut trees in this region of Delhi.
Lack of Awareness on Legal Requirements
The Lieutenant Governor claimed he was not informed about the need for court permission to cut trees for a proposed road widening project. This project aims to facilitate access to the under-construction Central Armed Police Force Institute of Medical Sciences. During a site visit on February 3, he directed officials to expedite the project, which has already cost the government ₹2,200 crore.
Court’s Inquiry into Actions Taken
While hearing a contempt petition filed by resident Bindu Kapuria, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s bench asked the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) chairman to submit an affidavit. The court is scheduled to hear the case on October 24. During the last hearing, the court inquired about actions taken against officials responsible for cutting approximately 1,100 trees in the South Ridge area.
The Chief Justice emphasized that if the Lieutenant Governor had received proper advice regarding the Supreme Court’s orders, he would not have issued the tree-cutting orders. The contempt petition alleges that the tree cutting violates a 1996 Supreme Court order in the MC Mehta case, warranting contempt proceedings against the responsible officials. The ongoing construction work involves a 10-kilometer road from Chhatrapur to SAARC University, resulting in the removal of 1,100 trees.
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