Delhi Gov Faces Supreme Court Clash Over Tree Cutting Probe

The principal secretary of Environment and Forest department has challenged a fact-finding committee formed by Delhi government ministers to investigate tree cutting in the Ridge area, claiming it violated rules and could lead to Supreme Court contempt. The Supreme Court had already set up an independent committee on the issue.

In a defiant act, the principal secretary of Environment and Forest department has scrutinized the formation of a fact-finding committee by Delhi government ministers to investigate tree cutting in the Ridge area. The official claims this violates established rules and risks contempt of the Supreme Court.

The committee, including ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Imran Hussain, was established following a decision on June 29. This was aimed at probing the alleged unauthorized cutting of 1,100 trees in the Southern Ridge area by the DDA.

Accusations have been traded, with a government source revealing that Environment Minister Gopal Rai had already requested a report on the matter which Principal Secretary AK Singh has yet to submit. The source questioned the transparency and accountability of Singh’s actions.