Today(on 10th July),The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Delhi Police following a petition alleging harassment for legal action against the DDA over unauthorized tree felling in the Ridge area. The case, rooted in a Suo motu contempt against the DDA Vice Chairman, also questions the involvement of Delhi LG VK Saxena.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 10th July), The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Delhi Police in response to an application filed by petitioners in a high-profile case against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The case concerns the felling of trees in the Ridge area of Delhi without the necessary court permission. The petitioners have approached the Supreme Court, alleging harassment by the Delhi Police for initiating legal action against the DDA.
This matter dates back to a Suo motu contempt case initiated by the Supreme Court against the DDA Vice Chairman. The Court had also raised questions about the involvement of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who serves as the chairman of the DDA, in permitting the illegal felling of trees. The role of the Delhi LG in this controversy has been under scrutiny since the initial filing.
The petitioners, who brought the illegal tree felling case against the DDA, have now lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court, claiming that they are being subjected to undue harassment by the Delhi Police. According to their allegations, the police have been conducting inquiries about them and have even reached out to the banks where the petitioners hold accounts.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioners, addressed the court with specific concerns about the police actions.
He stated-
“The Delhi Police requested comprehensive details of the petitioner and subsequently contacted their bank for account information.”
This move has raised serious questions about the motives and legality of such actions by the police.
Sankaranarayanan further emphasized the need for accountability, stating that-
“The Commissioner of Police and Axis Bank must explain why this is occurring.”
The involvement of Axis Bank in providing account details without proper authorization adds another layer of complexity to the issue.
The Supreme Court’s notice to the Delhi Police is a crucial step towards addressing these allegations. The Court’s intervention aims to ensure that the petitioners are not subjected to any form of harassment for exercising their legal rights. The case highlights the broader issues of environmental protection and the accountability of public authorities in maintaining the ecological balance.
The Supreme Court has posed questions regarding the ongoing investigation into the other petitioners. Justice A.S. Oka inquired-
“Are they also making inquiries about the other petitioners?”
The counsel representing the case affirmed, stating, “Correct,” indicating that the Delhi Police is actively conducting these enquiries and possesses the relevant recordings.
The Supreme Court subsequently issued a notice to the Delhi Police, requiring them to provide an explanation concerning this matter.
In June, the Supreme Court had sternly questioned the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) over the unauthorized felling of trees in the Delhi Ridge area. The court demanded a clear statement from the DDA’s Vice President, seeking to know whether the tree felling was executed under the orders of Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, without the court’s permission.
The case is being heard by a bench comprising Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan. This bench is addressing the issue of widespread deforestation in Delhi’s Ridge Forest area, which has occurred in violation of previous Supreme Court orders.
Justice Oka, who heads the bench, previously questioned whether the enquiry committee, appointed by the court in a prior order, had investigated the events that took place during Delhi LG’s visit to the site before the trees were cut down. The court emphasized the accountability of the Delhi LG, stating that as the chairman of DDA, he is subject to judicial review.
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“It was acknowledged before us that the Delhi LG visited the site. We want to know what transpired during that visit!”
-the bench asserted.
ALSO READ: Unauthorized Felling of 1,000 Trees | SC Issues Contempt Notice to DDA Vice-Chairman
Upon reviewing the affidavits submitted by the Vice Chairman, the Supreme Court discovered that there had been an exchange of emails between the Delhi LG, who also serves as the chairperson of the DDA, regarding this matter. The court criticized the DDA for failing to present all relevant details on record, particularly concerning who ordered the felling of the trees.
