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The Supreme Court of India has raised serious questions about the veracity of claims made by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (LG), VK Saxena, regarding his knowledge of the illegal tree felling incident in the city. The controversy erupted after it came to light that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had authorized the cutting down of trees without obtaining prior permission from the Supreme Court, as mandated by its directive. This decision has sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about the environmental impact of the actions.
LG Saxena, who has been the focal point of the controversy, maintained that he became aware of the requirement for court approval only in March, after the tree cutting had already commenced in February. Furthermore, he stated in an affidavit submitted to the court that he was informed about the actual tree felling only in June. However, the Supreme Court, after meticulously reviewing the available evidence, found inconsistencies in Saxena's claims. The court identified that the DDA's former Vice Chairman, Subhashish Panda, who has since been transferred to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), had informed LG Saxena about the tree cutting in April. This information contradicts Saxena's assertion that he was unaware of the tree felling until June.
The court's order explicitly stated that the affidavit extract reveals that the chairperson was made aware of the actual tree felling before February 16, 2024, in April. This discovery has cast a shadow of doubt on LG Saxena's account and has led the Supreme Court to demand the original records related to the tree cutting incident. The court's decision to seek the original documents underscores its determination to ascertain the truth and hold those responsible for the violation of its directives accountable. The outcome of this investigation will have far-reaching implications for the future of environmental regulations and the authority of the Supreme Court in upholding its rulings.
Source: Supreme Court questions Delhi LG's claim over tree cutting fiasco, seeks original records