Supreme Court Questions Delhi Government and LG VK Saxena on Illegal Tree Cutting

The Supreme Court of India has asked the Delhi government to explain how it will compensate for the illegal cutting of trees in Southern Delhi’s ridge forest area. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the Delhi government to provide details on the number of illegal permissions granted for tree cutting in the last five years.

The court also questioned whether Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena was informed that he could not grant permission for tree felling without the court’s order. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was asked to clarify if the decision to cut trees was based solely on the LG’s permission or if an independent decision was made.

The case was brought forward by Delhi resident Bindu Kapurea and an NGO, who alleged that trees were cut despite a March 4 court order denying permission. In May, the court initiated a contempt of court case against DDA Vice-Chairman Subhasish Panda for violating the court’s orders.

During the hearing, the bench criticized the LG’s role in granting permission without court approval. Justice Oka remarked, “I think LG is thinking he is a court.” The court also issued a notice to the contractor responsible for the tree felling, asking for details on whose instructions the work was carried out.

In June, the bench noted that the LG, as Chairman of the DDA, had approved the tree-cutting proposal and visited the site. The court directed the Vice-Chairman of DDA to provide records of the LG’s visit and initiated contempt of court proceedings.