AAP accuses L-G of illegal tree felling

New Delhi, August 25

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj raised serious allegations against Delhi’s Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday, suggesting his involvement in the illegal felling of over 1,100 trees in the Satbari Ridge area.

Bharadwaj’s accusations stem from affidavits submitted by Delhi officers to the Supreme Court, which indicate that the L-G may have been aware of the illegal actions but failed to prevent them.

“Despite being the L-G for over two years, is it possible that Saxena does not know that the permission of the tree officer is required to fell trees? How is it possible that he does not know that permission from the Supreme Court is required before cutting trees in a forest?” Bharadwaj questioned.

Bharadwaj’s remarks come after the Supreme Court began hearing a case concerning the illegal felling of trees in the Satbari area. He revealed that officials’ affidavits indicated the L-G visited the site on February 3, 2024, where he allegedly directed the speeding up of road work, which led to the cutting of trees.

“The truth is that trees were cut with everyone’s connivance, and now officials are lying to save the L-G,” he alleged. He criticised the bureaucracy for failing to inform the L-G about the necessary permissions required for tree cutting, questioning their integrity. “The situation of Delhi’s bureaucracy is so dire today that senior officials can’t even call illegal activities ‘illegal’ in front of the L-G,” he added.