On Wednesday, a Supreme Court Bench led by Justice BR Gavai expressed dissatisfaction over the simultaneous hearing of a case regarding tree-cutting in the Delhi Ridge forest area by another Bench. This case involves the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and was initiated at the request of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
The three-judge Bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra, and KV Viswanathan, decided to refer the matter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to ensure it is listed before a single Bench. Justice Gavai remarked on the importance of judicial propriety, noting that the other Bench should have referred the matter to the CJI.
The other Bench, a Division Bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, has been handling a suo motu contempt case against the DDA's Vice-Chairman, Subhasish Panda. The DDA is under scrutiny for cutting down over a hundred trees in the Delhi Ridge Forest, allegedly in violation of court orders.
Justice Oka's Bench recently took issue with attempts to obscure the involvement of the Delhi LG in the tree-felling incident. They have demanded an explanation from the DDA on whether the tree cutting was directed by the LG or if the decision was made independently.
TAGS: Supreme Court Delhi Ridge tree-cutting DDA Justice BR Gavai Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena judicial propriety Chief Justice of India suo motu contempt Subhasish Panda environmental violation.
