The Supreme Court today strongly criticized the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for the illegal felling of trees in Delhi's Ridge area, emphasizing that environmental destruction cannot be ignored. A bench comprising Justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan addressed a suo motu contempt case against the DDA vice-president, condemning the unauthorized tree cutting despite a Supreme Court order protecting the area.

The court highlighted the necessity of a comprehensive tree plantation drive in the capital, especially following a recent severe heatwave that resulted in numerous deaths. The DDA was questioned about how it would implement the Tree Protection Act, with the court indicating it would instruct civic authorities to initiate a large-scale tree planting campaign.

Justice Oka expressed shock that the trees were cut down in defiance of the Supreme Court's directive, inquiring if Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the DDA chairman, had ordered the removal. The court was appalled by the casual attitude towards the felling of 1,100 trees and demanded clarity on who issued the orders, suggesting that the Lt Governor might be implicated.

Mahesh Jethmalani, representing DDA vice-chairman Subhasish Panda, questioned whether the Lt Governor was aware of the Supreme Court's order. Justice Oka, referencing a Sherlock Holmes story, suggested the possibility of internal collusion. The court criticized the DDA for shifting blame onto officers and demanded an official record of the Lt Governor's visit.

The Supreme Court issued contempt notices to the officers involved and mandated that all current and future DDA contracts must include a clause prohibiting tree felling without court permission. The court emphasized the need for a detailed inquiry into the DDA's actions, stressing that such blatant environmental destruction in the capital cannot be tolerated.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on Wednesday.