New Delhi: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Friday sternly reprimanded Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena for authorizing the felling of trees despite an ongoing case involving the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The court expressed severe displeasure over this action.
A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjwal Bhuyan criticized LG Saxena for granting permission to cut trees without the court’s approval. The Supreme Court also condemned efforts to obscure the LG’s involvement in the matter. The bench emphasized that it should have been informed from the outset that LG Saxena had issued such instructions. The court realized the LG’s role when Attorney General R. Venkataramani appeared and indicated, “This was a sufficient indication.”
“Does LG Consider Himself a Court?”
The Supreme Court remarked, “LG did not think at all. He assumed that the Delhi government had the powers of a tree officer. Sadly, this is happening. We should have been told on the first day itself that LG had given instructions.” The bench questioned whether VK Saxena considers himself a court. Additionally, the bench inquired if DDA officials had informed him that Supreme Court permission is required to cut the trees. Justice Oka stated, “I think LG is considering himself a court. Did any officer go to LG to tell him that we need the permission of the Supreme Court to proceed?”
The Contempt Petition
The controversy stems from a contempt petition filed in the Supreme Court regarding the cutting of 1,100 trees in the Ridge area of South Delhi. The petition highlighted that the DDA sought the Supreme Court’s permission to cut the trees but proceeded without it, warranting contempt of court action against DDA officials.
The court had previously stated that the DDA’s initiation of tree-cutting without permission constitutes complete contempt of court. The Supreme Court emphasized that not a single tree can be touched without its approval. Consequently, the court issued a notice of contempt to the Vice President of DDA and the Principal Secretary of the Environment and Forest Department of the Delhi Government.
