Angry Delhities have moved the High Court against public sector company NBCC after it allegedly violated the stay on cutting close to 16,000 trees in South Delhi until July 4.

The contempt petition in the Delhi High Court was filed by noted activist Vimlendu Jha against Anoop Kumar Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director of NBCC, on Wednesday.

On June 26, Jha said that it had been observed that NBCC officials and workers were felling trees in Netaji Nagar. Jha also claimed that three trees had already been felled by NBCC personnel by the time the police were alerted.

He later filed a complaint with the Sarojini Nagar police station. However the police refused to file a first information report (FIR). State Minister for Environment and Forests Imran Hussain intervened and directed that necessary action be taken against the perpetrators and an FIR be filed.

‘Wilful disobedience’

“There has been wilful disobedience and defiance of the orders dated June 25,” stated the contempt petition. Officials at NBCC, however, maintained that they had not cut any trees or acted in anyway in violation of court orders.

“We have instructed all contractors carrying out redevelopment of three colonies in Delhi by NBCC not to cut any trees. In the event of any breach by any individual or contractor, they will be held responsible for all consequential damages arising therefrom, including contempt of Court,” a spokesperson said.

The citizens are protesting against half-baked environmental clearances issued for redevelopment in seven localities of South Delhi — East Kidwai Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Mohammadpur, Kasturba Nagar, Thyagaraj Nagar and RK Puram. They have also taken to patrolling the areas in shifts, day and night, to check on any possible violations.

“We are questioning multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Urban Development, NBCC, Delhi Development Authority, state and central pollution control boards, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Police on on how in case of redevelopment traffic will be controlled, levels of pollution, and on supply of water in case trees are cut. We have not received satisfactory replies,” Anil Sood, a Delhi-based environment activist said.

PTI adds: Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has accused Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan of “misguiding” people over the plan to cut down over 16,500 trees, stating that his ministry had given environment clearance. AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj claimed that the environmental impact assessment report for the project was approved by the Ministry without a public hearing.

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