Ridge: HC Contempt Axe On Top Officials

New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Monday issued contempt notices to DDA vice-chairman and forest department’s principal secretary for felling of around 1,100 trees to construct a road in the Southern Ridge.The high court termed as “shocking” that Delhi Development Authority sought permission from the Supreme Court on March 4, while the trees apparently had already been cut a week before, on Feb 29.Interestingly, the apex court had, in its March 4 order, dismissed DDA’s application seeking permission to fell or translocate the trees. It had asked the land-owning agency to re-examine the proposal to construct a road via the Southern Ridge forest and consult experts, reminding it that being a govt agency DDA has a duty to “first make an attempt to protect the environment by praying for felling of only those trees which are absolutely mandatory…. and apply their mind whether alternatives can be examined to save trees.”On Monday, Justice Jasmeet Singh took stock of the situation and noted that the conduct of authorities was in “total violation” of court orders against the felling of trees. It asked the top brass of DDA and forest department to file an affidavit stating why action for contempt should not be taken against them.The court pointed out that 400 trees were cut on DDA land and 700 on forest land, observing it “clearly shows total apathy towards orders passed by the court and total violation of the same.” The court also directed the authorities to ensure that no further trees were felled in the Southern Ridge. It was dealing with a case concerning permissions granted by tree officers for felling trees without passing speaking orders.Last year, the high court had said no permission for felling trees would be granted in Delhi. The court, which saw photographs of the site, remarked that the felling of trees was “even more shocking” in light of the top court’s order.“If you are not going to follow the law, not going to follow court orders, you will need to go to jail,” the judge remarked. However, the counsel for DDA denied trees were cut by the agency and pointed out its application seeking permission from the Supreme Court was pending adjudication at that time. While hearing another matter related to the pruning of trees in a colony in Janakpuri, the court also asked the forest department to state how and why permission was being granted for the pruning of branches with 45cm girth.Earlier this month, the court had expressed its displeasure over the cutting down of the trees in the Southern Ridge for the approach road and said if the authorities wanted to convert the capital into the Thar desert, they should say so in an affidavit.