Should've been told on first day L-G gave order to cut trees: SC

Expressing anguish over continuous cover up by authorities over the role of L-G V K Saxena in tree felling in ridge area, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to inform it whether the order to cut trees was passed on basis of L-G’s oral permission or the agency independently took the decision.

The apex court was hearing suo motu (on its own) contempt proceedings against the vice chairman of the DDA over alleged cutting of 1,100 trees in the ridge forest for a road widening project.

Observing that there was a complete non-application of mind by Delhi L-G in granting permission for felling of trees, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said it should have been informed on the first day of the hearing itself that the L-G already had issued directions for tree felling.