Archive · 2 Jun 2025
Supreme Court Finds DDA Guilty in Delhi Ridge Tree Felling
The Supreme Court found officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) guilty of breaking the law by cutting down trees in the Ridge area of Delhi.
They were widening a road, but the court said they did it without permission.
The court ordered the DDA to plant many more trees to replace those that were cut down.
The officials were also fined, but the top leaders of DDA were not punished.
The court is also making a group to check if the new trees are planted properly.
This whole case is about protecting the trees and the environment.
Supreme Court found DDA officials guilty of contempt for felling trees in Delhi's Ridge area.
The court ordered extensive afforestation, mandating 3,340 trees to be planted.
DDA officials were fined ₹25,000, but the chairman and vice-chairman were spared.
The court found DDA’s conduct contemptuous, citing deliberate concealing of tree felling.
A three-member committee will oversee the afforestation plan.
- Who
- Supreme Court, DDA officials, Forest Survey of India (FSI).
- What
- DDA officials held in contempt for illegal tree felling and ordered to replant trees.
- When
- The case came to court's notice in May 2024, with contempt found on May 28.
- Where
- Delhi’s Ridge area.
- Why
- For violating Supreme Court orders and the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.
- Location
- Delhi Ridge area
- Ruling
- DDA officials guilty of contempt
- Fine
- ₹25,000
- Trees to be Planted
- 3,340
- Relevant Court
- Supreme Court of India
Sources
Delhi development body fined Rs 25,000 over tree felling, relief for Lt Governor
Delhi tree felling case: SC raps DDA over road-widening bid, orders massive afforestation
Delhi Ridge tree-felling case: SC finds DDA officials guilty of criminal contempt, but holds its hand considering CAPFIMS’ ‘overarching public interest’
L-G put in an embarrassing position on Delhi ridge tree felling issue: Supreme Court
Tree felling: officials’ errors left L-G ‘embarrassed’, says SC
Forest dept: 31 tree violations in Vasant Vihar since 2021-22
