Delhi LG unaware of Court's tree cutting permission: Chief Secy to SC
New Delhi: The Chief Secretary of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Naresh Kumar, informed the Supreme Court that Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena was not made aware of the necessity to obtain the court's permission for felling trees in the southern Ridge area. This statement was made in an affidavit filed in response to a contempt petition against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for illegally cutting trees in the region.
During previous hearings, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that official correspondences suggested the trees were felled following oral instructions from the LG during his site visit on February 3. The court had questioned whether the LG was informed of the court's orders requiring permission from the Tree Officer before cutting trees.
The Chief Secretary's affidavit, filed on July 30, clarified that during the LG's visit to the project site, no officials informed him of the legal requirements to obtain court permission. The affidavit emphasized that directives from higher authorities to expedite project completion do not imply bypassing statutory provisions.
Further complicating the issue, the contractor, M/s Satya Prakash and Bros Pvt. Ltd., submitted that they received emails from DDA Engineer-in-Charge Manoj Kumar Yadav, referring to the LG's visit and instructions to clear trees. The court had previously expressed displeasure with the DDA's handling of the situation, indicating an attempt to protect higher-ups.
The matter is part of a broader legal matter, with Justice BR Gavai's bench also initiating contempt proceedings over the tree felling. The Supreme Court continues to seek clarification on the matter.
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Three more arrested in connection with murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru
Mangaluru (Karnataka), May 14 (PTI): The Mangaluru City Crime Branch has arrested three men in connection with the murder of Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Azaruddin alias Azar alias Ajju (29), Abdul Khader alias Noufal (24) and Vamanjoor Noushad alias Chotte Noushad (39), were arrested during the last two days, they said.
With the fresh arrests, a total of 11 people have been arrested in connection with the murder so far, police said.
According to a police statement, Azaruddin had previously been booked in three theft cases registered at Panambur, Suratkal, and Mulki police stations. He allegedly provided information about Shetty's movements to the other accused, aiding in the murder.
Khader is said to have assisted the accused during their escape in a car after the murder was committed.
Noushad is accused of having conspired with the others and directly participated in the crime. He has six previous criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, and robbery conspiracy, registered at various police stations in Dakshina Kannada, police said.
Azaruddin has been remanded in judicial custody, while Khader and Noushad have been taken into police custody for seven days for further investigation.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to trace other accused involved in the case.
Shetty, a known rowdy sheeter and Hindutva activist, was murdered by a group on May 1 within the Bajpe police station limits in Mangaluru City.
