Key Points
- Delhi LG V.K. Saxena submitted a personal statement to the Supreme Court.
- He expressed regret over the tree cutting that went against court orders.
- Saxena said he didn’t know that he needed more permission from the court.
- The Supreme Court wants accountability from DDA officials.
- The DDA Chairperson may face contempt proceedings.
Looma News
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, who is also the head of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), spoke to the Supreme Court about the unauthorized tree cutting in the Ridge area. In a personal statement submitted on Wednesday, he called the situation “extremely unfortunate” and admitted it shouldn’t have happened.
Saxena mentioned that the DDA acted without the necessary permission from the Supreme Court and expressed deep regret for the actions taken due to “acts of omission and commission.” He said he didn’t realize that more permission was needed for cutting down trees.
Last week, the Supreme Court asked the LG to provide details on how to hold accountable those DDA officials who broke the court’s orders. The court is looking into a complaint related to the significant tree cutting that happened without its approval.
A panel led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud pointed out that the DDA should take disciplinary action or pursue criminal charges against the officials responsible, without waiting for further instructions. The court had previously asked if the LG personally went to the site and ordered the tree cutting. It emphasized that it wouldn’t hesitate to involve the DDA Chairperson in the ongoing case, stressing that the LG, as the head of the DDA, is subject to court review.
Earlier, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the DDA Vice Chairperson about potential charges for criminal contempt, indicating a clear violation of its orders against tree cutting. The court noted that it seemed unlikely the contractor acted alone in cutting the trees, suggesting that they were following orders from DDA officials.
The Supreme Court expressed hope that the LG would take this matter seriously, both as the Lieutenant Governor and as the DDA Chairperson.
