The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a contempt plea regarding the illegal felling of trees in Delhi’s Ridge area for road widening, allegedly violating a prior order. Allegations include deliberate disregard for court orders and environmental damage, while authorities claimed they were unaware of restrictions. The court is set to review the case comprehensively.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (Jan 21st) reserved its verdict on a contempt plea alleging the illegal felling of trees in Delhi’s Ridge area for road widening, in violation of its orders. The plea, filed by Bindu Kapurea, claims that trees were cut despite the top court’s March 4, 2024 order denying permission to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for the project.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh emphasized the need to assess the gravity of contempt and the intentions behind the tree felling. The bench remarked,
“We need to see the gravity of contempt in this matter. Whether the trees were felled for widening of road to the hospital meant for paramilitary jawans, or for the benefit of affluent persons of the area.”
Allegations of Deliberate Violations
The plea alleges deliberate violations of court orders and suppression of key information by authorities. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Kapurea, argued that there were already three existing roads leading to the hospital, and the alignment change caused unnecessary deforestation. He claimed that affluent individuals in the vicinity benefited from the project, submitting maps to substantiate his claims.
Defense from Authorities
Senior advocate Vikash Singh, representing the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, stated that an affidavit had been filed and claimed ignorance of the court’s embargo on tree felling. Singh assured the court that the authorities would plant 70,000 saplings, far exceeding the mandated 5,340 saplings, to address the environmental damage.
Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the DDA vice-chairman, justified the road-widening project, explaining that the existing 7.5-foot-wide road was inadequate for vehicles transporting soldiers to the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital.
Tree Felling Controversy
The Supreme Court noted that tree cutting began on February 16, 2024, before the DDA’s application for permission was dismissed on March 4. The court described the DDA’s application as “very vague” and issued a contempt notice to DDA vice-chairman Subhasish Panda for allowing the felling of around 1,100 trees.
The Ridge, a vital extension of the Aravalli Hill range, spans approximately 7,784 hectares and plays a crucial role in maintaining Delhi’s ecological balance. A Forest Survey of India report indicated that 1,670 trees were cut, though the DDA reported only 642 trees.
Previous Orders and Next Steps
The bench, taking a fresh look at the case, stated,
“We need to take an independent approach on this issue… We would like to form our own view and finish off this matter.”
The court will now examine all aspects and issue its ruling soon, which may include directions for afforestation and actions against officials responsible for the violations.
Case Details – Bindu Kapurea v. Subhasish Panda Dairy No. 21171-2024, In Re Subhasish Panda Vice Chairman DDA SMC(Crl) No. 2/2024
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