Delhi L-G Saxena expresses regret, says no one told him court nod was required to cut trees

Delhi L-G V.K. Saxena clarifies role in tree felling incident, denies knowledge of Supreme Court permission requirement.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) and DDA ex-officio chairperson V.K. Saxena, who described himself as a “committed environmentalist and conservationist”, said no one told him that the permission of the Supreme Court was required before felling trees.

The revelation was part of a personal affidavit filed by the L-G in the Supreme Court explaining the circumstances leading to the illegal felling of valuable trees by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in the protected ridge area as part of widening access to the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS) in Maidangarhi.

Petitioners who approached the Supreme Court had alleged that the trees were chopped down on the orders of the L-G, who had visited the site on February 3.

On October 16, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud decided to have the L-G himself file an affidavit explaining his alleged role and what really happened on February 3.

Mr. Saxena said he had visited the CAPFIMS Hospital site on February 3 for a visual inspection. There, he had “asked the officials present at the spot to expedite the work towards the completion of the project”. He explained that the hospital project was worth ₹2,200 crore of public money and was meant to provide medical facilities to the paramilitary forces serving the nation.

On the way back from the hospital site, the L-G said he had also stopped at the road-widening site.

“No one present at the site on the date of the visit brought to the notice of the deponent [L-G] the legal requirement of obtaining permission from the Supreme Court for felling the trees,” the L-G submitted in the affidavit.