New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for not giving information regarding the visit of Delhi's lieutenant governor (LG) at the site where trees were cut in violation of court orders.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan also directed the Delhi government and the civic agencies to convene a meeting regarding comprehensive measures to enhance the city's green cover. The bench pointed out that people are feeling the heat as tree cover is lost.
During the hearing, senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the DDA Vice Chairman, contended that the authority is trying to locate the records regarding the LG's visit. The bench said it does not appreciate that the authority cannot even find the simple thing and further queried, has the Vice Chairman inquired with the concerned department, called for reports or asked the officers, who were present in the meeting?
The bench said the email on record says that the LG had visited and the DDA should have looked into the matter. "You are only protecting the higher-ups and blaming the lower officers," observed the bench. The DDA’s counsel said that the LG did not visit the site where trees were cut, and that he had visited a different site.
The bench said that the DDA could not obtain information regarding the site visit of the LG on February 3, 2024, and, on DDA’s counsel request for more time, added that “we don't think that the request for time to find such simple information is bona fide."
The bench issued notice to an officer, who was present at the time of the LG's visit and directed him to file an affidavit as to what exactly transpired and if any directions were issued by LG. The bench told the DDA that the truth in the matter must come out.
