In a startling revelation, the Delhi Forest Department has informed the Supreme Court that a forged permission letter was used in the name of the Deputy Forest Conservator to facilitate illegal tree cutting in the Ridge area of Vasant Kunj for a residential project. The disclosure has been made in an affidavit filed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Western Forest Division) in response to a petition by environmental activist Ms. Bhavreen Kandhari.
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The petition has called for contempt proceedings against concerned authorities, alleging unauthorized tree felling and land leveling in a protected area. A bench headed by Justice Suryakant is expected to hear the matter on July 21.
The petition emphasizes that the Ridge area land is protected under a Supreme Court order dated May 9, 1996, which mandates the Court’s prior approval for any tree felling in the region. The forest official’s affidavit confirms that a fake permission was issued under the name of the Deputy Forest Conservator Tree Officer (Western Forest Division) for tree cutting.
The forged document allegedly benefited one Mr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma. The forest officer stated that he had written to the Vasant Kunj Police Station on December 13 last year, requesting registration of an FIR regarding the forgery. In response, the investigating Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) informed the Forest Department that the fake permission letter is illegible, making it difficult to proceed.
Moreover, the ASI added that the disputed site could not be traced, and during questioning, Mr. Sharma denied any involvement in securing or using fake permission for tree cutting. The police have now sought the original forged document to continue the investigation, warning that without it, the complaint will be closed.
The case raises serious concerns about enforcement of environmental safeguards and the integrity of urban forest protection mechanisms, particularly in ecologically sensitive zones like Delhi’s Ridge.
