Tree Felling In Ridge Forest: SC Orders Delhi Police Not To Harass Petitioner

The Supreme Court on Friday instructed the Delhi Police not to harass a city resident who has filed a contempt plea against the Delhi Development Authority over “illegal” tree-felling in the Ridge forest.

A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice on the petitioner’s harassment allegations. The bench stated, “We make it clear for all the authorities that no one will make any attempt to cause harassment to the petitioner only because she has filed a contempt petition and brought to the notice of this court about breach of orders of this court.”

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioner, informed the court that city police officers have been making inquiries regarding the other petitioner, New Delhi Nature Society. He claimed the police have also approached their bank and sought detailed information about their accounts. The bench noted Sankaranarayanan’s submission and issued a notice in the matter.

In her contempt plea, Bindu Kapurea alleged that trees were cut despite a March 4 court order denying the DDA permission. She claimed the tree felling was not disclosed to the court. The Supreme Court has initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the vice chairman of the DDA over the alleged cutting of 1,100 trees in the Ridge forest for a road widening project.

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