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The Supreme Court of India has directed Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and former DDA vice-chairman Subhashish Panda to submit new affidavits concerning their knowledge of the tree felling incident in Delhi's Ridge area. This directive comes after the court identified discrepancies in the dates mentioned in the affidavit submitted by the L-G in his capacity as Delhi Development Authority Chairperson and a letter sent by the former vice-chairman. The tree felling occurred as part of widening the approach road to the under-construction Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS).
The court's intervention stems from the conflicting information provided by the two officials. In his affidavit, L-G Saxena stated that he was unaware of the need for Supreme Court permission for the tree felling when he visited the CAPFIMS project site on February 3, 2024. He further claimed to have become aware of the requirement for the court's permission only on March 21, 2024, when he received a proposal from the DDA for the formation of a Committee of Experts. Saxena also indicated that the DDA vice-chairman's letter dated June 10, 2024, informed him that the tree felling commenced around February 16, 2024.
However, a letter written by the DDA vice-chairman to Saxena on April 12, 2024, contradicted this timeline, stating that he had informed the L-G about the “blunder of tree felling” on that specific date. This discrepancy prompted the Supreme Court to seek fresh affidavits from both officials to clarify the timeline of events. The court directed that the affidavits should specifically address the L-G's knowledge about the commencement of tree felling on or around February 16, 2024.
This case highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged illegal felling of trees in the Delhi Ridge area. The Supreme Court's actions underscore the need for transparency and accountability in relation to environmental protection. The court's directive for new affidavits aims to establish a clear timeline and understanding of the roles played by the L-G and the DDA vice-chairman in the tree felling incident. The court's final decision on this matter will have significant implications for environmental regulations and governance in Delhi.
Source: Supreme Court seeks new affidavits from Delhi L-G, ex-DDA vice-chairman in ridge tree felling case