Majority Of 132 Trees Which Were To Be Transplanted Seems To Have Been Cut: Delhi HC Seeks Affidavit On Status Of Trees In Old JNU Campus
The Delhi High Court sought an affidavit from the authorities on the status of the 132 trees that were to be transplanted for the construction of the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM) building at Old JNU Campus.
The Court found the report of amicus curiae very disturbing which showed that the majority of the trees which were to be transplanted have been cut.
The Court was hearing an application seeking initiation of criminal contempt against authorities.
The bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh observed, “A perusal of the report from the learned Amici Curiae as well as the present application shows a very disturbing picture, wherein it seems that majority of the 132 trees which were to be transplanted have been cut.”
The Court noted that when their earlier order was passed the Court was not informed that the Deputy Conservator of Forest had granted permission for the transplantation of 132 trees and felling of two trees for the construction of the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM), Old JNU Campus, New Delhi.
The Court, without going into the facts on whether the permission was by the law, observed that the role of the DCF is not merely restricted to granting of permissions but also is responsible to see that the permission, so granted, is implemented in its right spirit and intent.
The Court said that the DCF is required to follow up and see whether the permissions granted, subject to compensatory plantation and transplantation, have been complied with by the authorities to whom those permissions have been granted.
The Court directed the Director, ISTM, Old JNU Campus, New Delhi and DG, CPWD to maintain the status quo about the felling of trees at ISTM, Old JNU Campus, New Delhi.
The Court also asked the DCF to bring on record all permissions/notifications granted to various projects for the felling of trees after August 31, 2023.
Finally, the Court listed the matter for further hearing.
Cause Title: Bhavreen Kandhari v. C.D. Singh & Ors.
Appearance:
Appellant: Adv. Aditya N. Prasad and Adv. Gautam Narayan
Respondent: Spcl. Counsel Yoginder Handoo, Adv. Ashwin Kataria, ASC Anupam Srivastava, Adv. Dhairya Gupta, Adv. Gautam Mann, CGSC Kirtiman Singh, Adv. Waize Ali Noor, Adv. Varun Rajawat, Adv. Kartik Baijal, Adv. Vidhi Jain, Adv. Aryan Agrawal, SC Manika Tripathy, Adv. Ashutosh Kaushik, Adv. Rony John, Adv. T. Singhdev, Adv. Agir Gupta, Adv. Michelle B. Das and Adv.Aabhaas