Supreme Court Holds DDA in Contempt Over Tree Cutting in Delhi Ridge Area

Supreme Court's Ruling on Tree Cutting in Delhi Ridge

The Supreme Court has found officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in contempt for cutting down trees to widen roads in the Ridge area of the capital, while also mandating extensive reforestation efforts. The court clarified that there was no malicious intent involved. During previous court proceedings, the DDA Vice Chairman admitted that 642 trees were felled for construction, with 458 of those located on forest land.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotishwar Singh ruled on a contempt petition that accused the DDA of deliberately ignoring orders regarding tree cutting restrictions from 1996 and March 4, 2024, as well as failing to comply with directives from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and IAS officer Subhashish Panda.

Significant Court Decision on Tree Cutting

The court emphasized that its stance should be stringent when its orders are willfully disregarded. The judges noted that the DDA's actions were contemptuous, particularly in concealing the tree cutting in the Ridge area, although they dismissed any claims of ill intent, stating that the project aimed to serve personnel of paramilitary forces, as reported by a media channel.

Court's Findings on Administrative Errors

The bench categorized the case as one of 'erroneous administrative decisions.' It imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on DDA officials while exempting the DDA Chairman and Vice Chairman from the case. The Supreme Court also instructed the DDA to levy a one-time fee on affluent individuals benefiting from the road widening in the Ridge area. Additionally, it established a three-member committee to oversee a comprehensive reforestation plan, ensuring a dense cover of trees along both sides of the access road.

Contempt Notice Issued to Former DDA Vice Chairman

On January 21, the Supreme Court reserved its order, indicating the need to assess the seriousness of the alleged contempt in the petitions. It issued a contempt notice to former DDA Vice Chairman Subhashish Panda and directed the Lieutenant Governor and DDA Chairman V.K. Saxena to file a personal affidavit detailing actions against the officials responsible for the alleged illegal felling of approximately 1,100 trees in the Ridge area by February 2024.

Background of the Tree Cutting Incident

The trees were cut down to widen the road leading to the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS) hospital. The Supreme Court noted that the tree cutting reportedly began on February 16, 2024, following an application that was ultimately dismissed through the March 4 order. The apex court had previously denied the DDA permission to cut down 1,051 trees, stating that the application was 'too vague.'