Supreme Court Protects Activist from Harassment in Ridge Forest Tree-Felling Case

The Supreme Court has instructed the Delhi Police not to harass a resident who filed a contempt plea against the DDA for alleged illegal tree-felling in the Ridge forest. The petitioner, represented by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, claimed police inquiries and surveillance. The court issued notices and emphasized no harassment.

The Supreme Court on Friday instructed the Delhi Police to refrain from harassing a city resident who has filed a contempt plea against the DDA over alleged illegal tree-felling in the Ridge forest.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice on the plea by the petitioner, highlighting harassment allegations.

"We make it clear for all the authorities that no one will attempt to harass the petitioner solely for filing a contempt petition and bringing the court's attention to the potential breaches of its orders," stated the bench.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioner, informed the court that city police officers have been inquiring about the petitioner and the New Delhi Nature Society.

Sankaranarayanan further claimed that the police approached their bank seeking detailed information about their accounts. The bench noted these submissions and issued an official notice in the matter.

In the contempt plea, Bindu Kapurea alleged that trees were cut despite a March 4 court order denying the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) permission for the tree-felling, a fact she claimed was suppressed from the court.

The apex court has commenced suo motu contempt proceedings against the DDA's vice-chairman for allegedly cutting 1,100 trees in the Ridge forest for a road-widening project.