LG Saxena Claims Unawareness of Court Permission for Tree Felling in Delhi Ridge

LG Vinai Kumar Saxena, in an affidavit, claimed unawareness of the Supreme Court's required permission to cut trees in Delhi Ridge. The Supreme Court had sought action against DDA officials for felling 642 trees without clearance. Saxena blamed lower-level engineers and denied bypassing legal procedures.

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena filed an affidavit on Tuesday, stating he was unaware that the Supreme Court's approval was needed to cut trees in Delhi's Southern Ridge. His affidavit follows the Supreme Court's October 16 directive for Saxena to take action against Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials for the unauthorized felling of over 1,100 trees, later revised to 642, without the necessary legal clearances.

Saxena explained that he learned of the tree cutting in June after a contempt petition was filed against the DDA. The incident, which occurred in February, involved the felling of trees for road construction projects benefiting several institutions, including a hospital for paramilitary forces. The court had asked Saxena to explain his involvement, including his February visit to the site, and why the DDA had not sought mandatory court permission for the felling.

Saxena said he believed that only permission under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act was needed, and he had no intention of bypassing legal protocols. He requested that DDA Vice Chairman Subhasish Panda be discharged from contempt proceedings, placing responsibility on an executive engineer and two assistant engineers who, according to Saxena, acted independently.

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The court had asked Saxena to provide details about remedial measures and the actions taken against DDA officials involved in the illegal tree felling.