‘Fake permission’: Delhi Forest Department in Supreme Court on tree flying in the ridge area; Fake documents used for Vasant Kunj Housing Project | Bharat News
New Delhi: The Forest Department of Delhi has informed the Supreme Court that a “fake permission” was fraudulently issued in the name of the Deputy Conservator of Jungle, allowing trees to fail trees in the ecological sensitive ridge area of Vasant Kunj for a housing project. This disclosure came in an affidavit presented in response to a petition filed by environmental activist Bhavrin Kandhari.The argument alleges that this land falls within a morphological ridge protected under the Supreme Court’s order of May 9, 1996, which compulsory permission for any tree failing or land diversion.“It is appropriate to mention that it came to the notice of the defendant who answers that a fake permission was issued for the flying of the tree in the name of the office of the Deputy Conservator/Tree Officer West Forest Division, which was issued to Rakesh Kumar Sharma …” The affidavit said.The affidavit filed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (West Division) said that on December 13, a letter was written to the station house officer of Vasant Kunj police station, seeking registration of an FIR on alleged forgery.According to the forest department, the Assistant Sub-Inspector, who handled the FIR, later replied that the fake document was illegal, the location could not be detected, and accused Rakesh Kumar Sharma denied any wrongdoing.“The Assistant Sub-Inspector has requested an original copy of fake permission to process the case, otherwise, the complaint will be closed. It is appropriate to mention that the same issue has been sought by the Central Empowerment Committee (CEC) … and his threat has already been sent on March 3, 2025.”The forest officer also informed the court that on 13 March, 2025, he responded to SHO, stating that a copy of the alleged fake permission earlier shared earlier was available with the department.The petition alleged that despite the approval of the court, construction activities were carried out on disputed land for residential buildings. The petitioner claimed that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi had approved the building schemes and “Forest Department, GNCTD and Ridge Management Board officials did not take any action to prevent or stop the said activity.”The ridge region in Delhi, known for ecological importance, is divided into five regions: Northern Ridge, Central Rij, South Central Ridge, Southern Ridge and Nanakpura South Central Ridge. The Supreme Court and other officials have issued several orders for its safety over the years.On 7 May, the Apex court issued a show-causal notice to the relevant officials, asking why contempt proceedings should not be done under the contempt of contempt act, 1971, it should not be started for the alleged violation of the 1996 order. The case is to be heard by a bench led by Justice Surya Kant on 21 July.(With input from agencies)
