Delhi Police Harassing & Took Bank Details, Petitioner In Contempt Case Against DDA Tells Supreme Court

The petitioner who filed a contempt case against the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) over illegal tree felling in Delhi Ridge Forest Area has filed an application in the Supreme Court raising allegations of harassment by the Delhi police.

The petitioner, Bindu Kapurea has complained about the police's actions, claiming that they have been subjected to undue scrutiny and harassment.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan for the petitioner informed the Court that the Delhi Police has been making enquiries regarding the other petitioner, New Delhi Nature Society as well. He alleged that the police has reached out to their bank and demanded detailed information about the accounts.

"From the 5th of June onwards, individuals start coming to my house, police and they start asking me who I am, what my trust is about. Then the next day they come and ask me about the petitioner in the other contempt petition. Ask for full details, ask for disclosures. Then they reach out to my bank. They have taken my bank account details," Sankaranarayanan stated.

He further emphasized the need for accountability, saying, "The Commissioner of Police and Axis Bank, they have to give answers on why this is happening."

Justice Abhay S Oka, presiding over the bench, inquired if the police also made enquiries about the other petitioner involved in the case. Sankaranarayanan confirmed, "Correct. I have the recordings."

Addressing the Additional Solicitor General, Justice Oka said, "We are not issuing notice. As an officer of the Court, please go through it. It is very serious."

The matter will be considered on Friday.

It may be noted that the Supreme Court has taken suo motu criminal contempt action against the Vice Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority for illegally cutting the trees of Delhi's ridge forest for a road widening project. The Court has also asked the DDA to explain the role of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG), after certain emails, allegedly sent by the DDA engineer to the contractor, indicated that the trees were cut on the directions of the Delhi LG.

Case Title :BINDU KAPUREA Versus SUBHASISH PANDA | Diary No. 21171-2024, NEW DELHI NATURE SOCIETY v. RAJESH KUMAR KAUSHAL AND ORS. Diary No. 21740-2024