Delhi High Court Refuses To Entertain PIL For Monitoring Functionality Of Delhi Tree Authority

The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on monitoring the functionality of the Delhi Tree Authority.

The PIL was filed by a man seeking direction to the State to perform their duties in a time bound manner inasmuch the Delhi Tree Authority should hold a meeting every three months under Section 4 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.

A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna said, “This Court is of the view that as the learned Single Judge is already monitoring the functionality of the Delhi Tree Authority, it would not be appropriate to entertain the present public interest litigation. As far as the suggestion to provide saplings/plants to every individual is concerned, this Court is of the opinion that the said suggestion should be considered by the Delhi Tree Authority and an appropriate decision thereupon should be taken by it.”

The petitioner Rahul Bhardwaj appeared in person while ASC Anupam Srivastava appeared for the respondents.

The petitioner who appeared in person stated that the Delhi Tree Authority should provide saplings/plants to every individual to plant on their property and also manage/monitor the trees planted by them. The Court was informed by the respondents that a Single Judge of the Court in W.P.(C) No.7253/2023 titled Neeraj Sharma vs. Union of India & Ors., was monitoring the functionality of the Delhi Tree Authority.

In fact, in the order dated July 31, 2023, which was handed over by the counsel for the respondents, the Court said that the Single Judge specifically took note of the allegation that though the Delhi Tree Authority should have met one hundred and four times, yet it had met eight times only.

Accordingly, the High Court closed the writ petition.

Cause Title- Rahul Bhardwaj and Anr. v. The Govt of National Capital Territory of Delhi and Anr.

Click here to read/download the Order