The Supreme Court issued an order to immediately cease tree felling activities in the forest ridge area near Delhi University. Justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan presided over the bench and issued an order directing the authorities to cease any further felling and maintain the existing status quo at the location in question
NEW DELHI: Today (9th May): The Supreme Court issued notice to a contempt of court petition concerning the cutting of a significant number of trees in the forest ridge near Delhi University. Justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan presided over the bench and issued an order directing the authorities to cease any further felling and maintain the existing status quo at the location in question.
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Furthermore, Justice Oka expressed the court’s willingness to consider the replantation of trees in the area, subject to its satisfaction with the proceedings.
The court stated,
“Issue notice in both the matters. The first respondent must be present on the next date of hearing, with notice served through all modes, including dasti. The respondents are prohibited from engaging in any additional tree felling and must maintain the status quo regarding the subject properties.”
On the other hand, Senior Advocate Guru Krishna Kumar proposed that a single bench should hear all cases related to matters concerning the Delhi ridge.
Responding to this, Justice Oka remarked,
“The Chief Justice of India (CJI) will make that decision. However, they cannot take the law into their own hands!”
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the petitioner, argued for a comprehensive examination of the constitutionality of the Ridge Management Board in Delhi.
Rohatgi referred to it as the “ridge destruction board” and questioned how tree cutting could occur without the court’s permission.
