*Why were files related to case not shown to NGO, despite Supreme Court’s order?: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*Forest Survey of India’s report exposes lies of Lieutenant Governor and DDA; 1,670 trees were illegally cut in Satbari Wildlife Area: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*LG and DDA have been blatantly lying about number of trees cut; it was not 642, it was 1,670: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*Why did DDA’s lawyers lie and claim that LG never visited the site?: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*On February 3, 2024, LG did indeed visit Satbari Wildlife Area: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*Former Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of Environment A.K. Singh, Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar, and DJB CEO Anbarasu were all present during LG’s visit: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*It is disgrace that the LG lied in his affidavit to Supreme Court: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*Hundreds of trees were cut down in Satbari Wildlife Area to benefit a few farmhouses: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*Road expansion alignment was deliberately changed as part of conspiracy: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*If road alignment was changed, why did DDA seek permission to cut down trees based on old alignment?: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*Blame is being unfairly placed on junior officers like JE, AE, and Executive Engineers to protect senior officials: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*If the trees were illegally cut with help of JE, AE, and Executive Engineers, why did LG not dismiss them in April?: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*LG, who regularly issues press releases for every minor issue, why did he not issue single press release on this matter in April?: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
*In effort to cover up the case, petitioners are being harassed by police, receiving threats over phone: Saurabh Bharadwaj*
NEW DELHI:8th November, 2024-Revealing a deep conspiracy behind Satbari Tree Felling by the Lieutenant Governor (LG) and his Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has exposed a web of lies surrounding the illegal felling of 1,670 trees in the area.
Despite Supreme Court orders, the Delhi Minister pointed out that key files have been deliberately withheld, with the DDA and the Lieutenant Governor misleading the public on the extent of deforestation. He highlighted that they are covering up a conspiracy to benefit a select few farmhouse owners, with police harassment directed at those demanding justice.
Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, in a press conference, stated, “Given the increasing pollution levels across North India, I believe this is a crucial time for us to understand the importance of trees in Delhi. While governments, NGOs, and even young schoolchildren are engaged in planting trees and saplings, a troubling incident has come to light within Delhi. It was revealed not by any government but by an NGO that about 1,100 trees were allegedly cut down secretly in the Delhi Ridge by the DDA (Delhi Development Authority).
The Delhi Minister continued, “When questioned, the DDA initially dismissed these numbers as exaggerated, stating that only 642 trees were cut. This figure was presented multiple times in court by the LG’s counsel, arguing against the claim of 1,100 trees.”
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj shared, “Recently, I met with the LG, along with senior officials, including the Chief Secretary and Environment Secretary. I pointed out that a significant number of trees had been cut, and there was a surprising lack of response about the necessity to protect them. In response, the LG asked how many trees were cut.”
Citing a report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), the Minister said, “The FSI later submitted a report based on satellite imagery, providing what can be considered a credible account due to its historical data. High-resolution images revealed that a large number of trees were indeed missing, corroborating claims of deforestation.”
“Media outlets published that the FSI report might be inaccurate, alleging that the DDA had altered the original road alignment to benefit some farmhouse owners. This change was made to avoid impacting certain lands, which altered the approved alignment. Reports from forest department officials confirmed this discrepancy, stating that maps submitted for approval differed from the actual road being constructed, proving that alignment changes were indeed made,” asserted the Delhi Minister.
Citing proceedings of the case in the Apex Court, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj pointed out that in the Supreme Court’s order dated October 24, 2024, the Chief Justice’s bench raised important points. They asked LG Vinai Saxena to submit an affidavit clarifying when he became aware of the illegal tree felling by the DDA. The LG’s affidavit stated that he became aware on June 10, 2024, but had to admit this date due to a letter from the DDA Vice Chairman on April 12, 2024, previously overlooked.”
“The Supreme Court criticized the affidavit’s inaccuracy, demanding a correction, which was subsequently submitted. This discrepancy from a constitutional authority in the country’s highest court is both grave and concerning. Furthermore, I aim to reveal the various falsehoods presented by the LG’s counsel, his department, and even central authorities in this case,” stated the Minister.
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj shared that the Supreme Court order also mandated the submission of all primary reports and records for inspection by the petitioner’s counsel, allowing transparency in assessing the DDA’s claims. The NGO pointing out contempt argued that the DDA’s statements were misleading and asked for access to DDA files to verify these claims. Despite repeated Supreme Court orders, the DDA has yet to make these files available, which raises serious questions about transparency and accountability.
“As of yesterday and today, the petitioners informed the Supreme Court that the DDA still had not shown them the records, as ordered. My question to LG Vinai Saxena is this: How long will you let the DDA tarnish Delhi’s reputation? Why is there hesitation in disclosing DDA’s records?” He asked.
The Delhi Minister mentioned that today, the Chief Justice’s bench was set to issue a decision but was informed that DDA records had still not been submitted. As a result, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud remarked that this case could not proceed as it was his last day, and now the matter will be reassigned to a new bench. The DDA, LG, and central government’s actions on this matter remain under scrutiny.
Posing some pressing questions before the Delhi LG, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, “I want to raise specific questions for LG Vinai Saxena. The Delhi public deserves to know what has happened. First, when this case initially appeared in the Supreme Court, DDA and central government lawyers stated that the LG had never visited the deforested site. When asked about February 3, they claimed the LG was visiting a hospital instead. Later, an affidavit from a DDA official present at the site on February 3 revealed that the LG was indeed there. This was the first falsehood that surfaced in the Supreme Court.”
“Secondly, officials present during the LG’s visit were not disclosed initially, but it later emerged that several high-ranking officials, including the then Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Environment AK Singh, Divisional Commissioner Ashwani Kumar and CEO of Jal Board Anbarasu accompanied him,” he said.
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj asserted that a third significant question concerns the authority behind the tree-cutting order, which remained unclear until emails from the DDA’s engineer-in-charge to the contractor surfaced. These emails, dated February 6 and February 14, indicated hesitation due to a lack of permission but also noted LG’s verbal instructions to proceed with the cutting. This became part of the record, showing trees were felled without permission and at LG’s verbal order.”
“Subsequently, the central government’s top lawyer admitted the emails’ authenticity, supported by phone location data showing DDA officials were present during the tree-cutting. This evidence forced the court to acknowledge the legitimacy of the emails and the officials’ oversight,” he mentioned.
Revealing another set of lies, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “Despite this, the LG and DDA continued to claim only 642 trees were cut, while petitioners consistently argued that at least 1,100 trees were removed. Later, an FSI report confirmed that 1,670 trees had been illegally cut, further disproving the lower figures presented.”
“Now, it raises the question: how could three lower-level officials—a junior engineer, an assistant engineer, and an executive engineer— cut down 1,670 trees without senior authorities knowing? Is it conceivable that the forest department or police officials would be unaware or uninvolved? Why would the LG’s counsel and the DDA manipulate the figures, and what was at stake for them?” He reasoned.
The Delhi Minister mentioned that additionally, during open court proceedings, petitioners’ counsel alleged that police were harassing the petitioner with threats and baseless summons, aiming to intimidate them and even investigate their bank accounts. All these actions seem directed towards shielding the involved junior officials. If the DDA altered alignment and the Forest Department confirmed it, why were no high-ranking officials held accountable?
“I ask LG Vinai Saxena directly: why no action was taken on this matter? Why was this kept hidden? What vested interest does the LG have in downplaying these figures and protecting these officials? Is the DDA hiding records to protect these junior officials, or are they creating new records to present later?” asked the Minister.
Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj highlighted that Justice Oka’s bench was informed that the petitioner was being harassed by police officials, summoning them repeatedly and investigating their bank accounts. Why would a full-fledged police team target petitioners for speaking out, while officials from the forest department remain silent? All evidence now points to the fact that trees were cut to benefit farmhouse owners by changing road alignment, as confirmed by forest department officers who spoke on record to the press.
“To save JE, AE and Executive Engineer, the entire police department has been put behind the appellants, this is absolutely unacceptable. He said that all the top officials and the Lieutenant Governor were fully aware of this matter, deliberate efforts are being made to twist the matter and mislead the court,” affirmed the Delhi Minister.