New Delhi. The case of felling of trees in the Ridge area of the country’s capital Delhi has become so serious that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is badly entangled in legal complications. Contempt proceedings are going on against DDA in the Supreme Court. Now a new twist has come in this case. Actually, a contempt case is going on before two benches in the apex court itself in the case of felling of trees in the Ridge area against DDA. When this case came up for hearing before the bench headed by Justice BR Gavai, he refused to proceed further on it and handed over the case to CJI DY Chandrachud. He also said that first CJI Chandrachud should be allowed to decide which bench will continue the hearing on this case.
In fact, the contempt case is being heard in two benches of the Supreme Court in the case of felling of trees in Delhi Ridge Area. In this way, the case is one, but the benches are two. The three-judge bench headed by Justice BR Gavai also includes Justice PK Mishra and Justice KV Vishwanathan. On the other hand, another bench headed by Justice AS Oka is also hearing the contempt case against DDA. When this case came before the bench headed by Justice Gavai, he said in clear words that contradictory orders should not be issued by two different benches in the same case. In such a situation, it should be completely clear which bench will continue hearing the case further.
Let the CJI decide- Justice Gavai
During the hearing of the contempt case against DDA, Justice BR Gavai said that the bench headed by him had started the proceedings in April 2024. The second bench started hearing in May 2024 in the case related to felling of trees by DDA. Justice Gavai further said, ‘It would be appropriate that the second bench should seek clarification from the CJI before starting the contempt hearing in this matter.’ Let us tell you that on 8 February 2024, the bench headed by Justice Gavai had directed the DDA not to fell trees in the Ridge area. Despite this, trees were cut. A case of contempt of court is going on in this matter. Justice Gavai further said that we are not touchy about any matter… let the CJI decide.
Lungs of Delhi
Let us tell you that hundreds of trees were cut for road construction in the Ridge area of Delhi. This step was taken when the Supreme Court had instructed not to do so. The Ridge area is also called the lungs of Delhi. The Supreme Court had expressed strong displeasure over the cutting of trees in the Ridge area. The court also reprimanded the officials for hiding the role of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The court had said that the Lieutenant Governor did not exercise full discretion in giving permission to cut the trees.
Tags: Delhi news, Justice DY Chandrachud, Supreme Court
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 26, 2024, 18:06 IST