In a troubling disclosure, the Delhi Forest Department has informed the Supreme Court that a “fake permission” for tree felling was issued in the name of the Deputy Conservator of Forests for a housing project in the ecologically sensitive Ridge area of Vasant Kunj.
The revelation was made through an affidavit filed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) of the West Forest Division in response to a contempt plea filed by environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari. The plea alleges that the tree felling and land development violated the apex court’s 1996 order protecting the Ridge area, which mandates prior court approval for any diversion or tree-felling activities.
“It had come to the attention of the answering respondent that a fake permission was issued for tree felling in the name of the office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests,” the affidavit stated, naming Rakesh Kumar Sharma as the alleged recipient of the forged document.
The affidavit recounts that the DCF reported the forgery to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Vasant Kunj Police Station on December 13, 2024, seeking registration of an FIR. However, the assistant sub-inspector handling the case responded that the alleged forged permission was illegible, the location could not be found, and that Sharma denied the charges during questioning. The officer also requested the original forged document to proceed, failing which the complaint might be closed.
The DCF replied on March 13, 2025, clarifying that the previously submitted copy was the only version available with the department. The issue has also been flagged to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), with an intimation sent on March 3, 2025.
Meanwhile, the petitioner contended that residential building activities have continued in the disputed area without requisite approval from the Supreme Court, and that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi had sanctioned construction plans despite the court’s standing order. The plea also alleged inaction on the part of the Forest Department, the Government of NCT of Delhi, and the Ridge Management Board in preventing the activity.
The Ridge area, a critical green buffer for Delhi, has been under special legal protection due to its ecological importance. It comprises five fragmented zones: Northern Ridge, Central Ridge, South Central Ridge, Southern Ridge, and Nanakpura South Central Ridge.
On May 7, the Supreme Court had already issued a show-cause notice to the authorities, questioning why contempt proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, should not be initiated for violating its May 9, 1996, order. The matter is now listed for hearing on July 21, before a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant.
