Delhi High Court Halts Felling Of 60 Year Old Peepal Tree On Senior Advocate's Plea

The Delhi High Court has halted felling of 60 year old Peepal tree in city's Inderpuri area on a letter petition by Senior Advocate N. Hariharan

Hearing the urgent mentioning, Justice Rekha Palli observed that irreparable harm will be caused not only to the environment but also to the residents of the locality if the tree was permitted to be cut without examining the plea.

Appearing in person, Hariharan submitted that he came to know on the same day that a 60 years old peepal tree near his residence was being illegally cut. He alleged that the action initiated by the authorities concerned was not backed by any valid order.

Accordingly, he prayed that the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), Delhi Police and the Office of the Deputy Conservator of Forest be restrained from cutting the said tree.

On the other hand, Advocate Abhinav S Aggarwal, appearing for NDMC stated that as per his instructions, an order was passed by the Office of Deputy Conservator of Forest, permitting relocation of the said tree. However, he could not give the details of the order.

Similarly, Delhi Police and the Office of Deputy Conservator of Forest were also unable to inform the Court about the order.

"It is, therefore, directed that till the next date, the NDMC, the Delhi Police and the Office of Deputy Conservator of Forest will ensure that the aforesaid tree located outside House No.A-7, Inderpuri, New Delhi, is not removed or harmed in any manner," the Court said.

The Court granted time till November 9 to the petitioner to file a formal petition in accordance with the Rules.

The matter was then directed to be listed before the Roster Bench on November 11.

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