LIVE: SC Holds DDA Officials in Contempt Over Delhi Ridge Tree Felling

Supreme Court Holds DDA in Contempt for Unauthorized Tree Felling in Delhi’s Ridge Area

On May 28, 2025, the Supreme Court of India held officials of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) guilty of contempt for unauthorized tree felling in Delhi’s ecologically sensitive Ridge area. The court imposed fines on the responsible officials and mandated extensive afforestation efforts to compensate for the environmental damage caused.

Background: Unauthorized Tree Felling in the Ridge Area

In February 2024, the DDA undertook a road-widening project near the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (CAPFIMS) hospital in the Chhatarpur region of Delhi. This project involved the felling of approximately 1,100 trees in the southern Ridge area, a zone protected under a 1996 Supreme Court order that prohibits tree felling without prior approval from the court. The DDA proceeded with the tree felling without obtaining the necessary permissions, leading to allegations of contempt of court.

Supreme Court’s Ruling

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh found the DDA officials guilty of contempt for violating the court’s prior orders. While acknowledging that the intent behind the road-widening project was to improve access to a hospital serving paramilitary personnel, the court emphasized that the DDA’s actions constituted a “classic case of institutional missteps and administrative overreach.” The court noted that the DDA failed to seek the court’s permission before felling the trees and did not disclose the tree felling during the pendency of related proceedings.

Penalties and Directives

The Supreme Court imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on each of the DDA officials involved in the unauthorized tree felling, excluding the DDA chairperson and vice-chairperson. The court also directed the DDA to undertake extensive afforestation efforts, including planting trees on a 185-acre plot and ensuring a thick tree cover on both sides of the newly widened road. Additionally, the court ordered the formation of a three-member committee to oversee the afforestation plan and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Implications for Environmental Governance

This ruling underscores the importance of adhering to environmental laws and the necessity for government agencies to obtain proper approvals before undertaking projects that impact ecologically sensitive areas. The Supreme Court’s decision serves as a reminder that development projects must balance infrastructural needs with environmental conservation. The court’s emphasis on transparency and accountability aims to prevent similar violations in the future and reinforces the judiciary’s role in upholding environmental protections.