'When They Got To Know Of Tree-Felling?': SC Directs Delhi LG, DDA Ex-VC To Come Clean On 'Discrepancy' In Fresh Replies

The direction came after the petitioners pointed out discrepancy between the statement of the Delhi LG and DDA Vice Chairman on illegal tree felling in Delhi's ridge area

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed, Delhi LG VK Saxena and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Ex-Vice Chairman to be more specific in disclosing the date when they got to know of the illegal felling of trees in the Delhi Ridge area. The direction came after the petitioners pointed out discrepancy between the statement of the Delhi LG and DDA Vice Chairman on illegal tree felling in Delhi's ridge area.

While LG said that he got information about the tree felling on June 10, there is a letter by the DDA VC that he had informed the LG about the "blunder of tree felling" on April 12, the Court notes.

A bench headed by the Chief Justice India (CJI) DY Chandrachud after going through LG VK Saxena's affidavit and hearing submissions by the petitioners said that the statement that it was only on June 10 that DDA Chairman (LG VK Saxena) was apprised that actual felling started on 16 February would require further clarification.

"We further call for affidavits from former Vice Chairman of DDA and by Chairperson of DDA.  We also direct that all original records be produced before the courts, list on Tuesday…we direct a specific disclosure of the specific date on which they gained knowledge of felling of trees."

The Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena who is also the Chairperson of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had informed the Supreme Court in an affidavit that he was not informed about the requirement to take court permission for clearing of Ridge Trees for a road widening project. He has further sought an exemption for the DDA vice chairman from the contempt of court case saying that he was undergoing medical surgery at AIIMS on the day of tree felling. 

While giving names of three officers responsible for the illegal tree felling, LG Saxena has informed the court that only 642 trees and not 1100 trees were felled in the Delhi Ridge area.

As per the affidavit, the Delhi LG was informed on June 10 of the incident of illegal felling of trees (16 February to 26 February). It further states that the information about requirement of the court permission was furnished to Delhi LG March 21.

He further told the court that the Vice Chairman of DDA was undergoing a medical surgery on February 16 at AIIMS and was not present at the site during the "unfortunate event of felling of trees." And thus requested the Supreme Court to discharge the Vice Chairman from the present contempt proceedings.

However, the petitioners today flagged dicripancies in the replies by Vice Chairman and LG VK Saxena. The court while directing for fresh affidavits noted that while Delhi LG said that he got information about the tree felling on June 10, there is a letter by the DDA Vice Chairman that he had informed the LG about the "blunder of tree felling" on April 12.