New Delhi: In a troubling disclosure, the Delhi Forest Department has informed the Supreme Court that a forged tree-felling permit was issued in the name of a senior forest officer, allegedly to clear land in the ecologically sensitive Ridge area of Vasant Kunj for a housing project. The revelation came through an affidavit submitted by the Deputy Conservator of Forests (West Division), in response to a petition filed by environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari. The plea alleges unauthorized construction and tree removal in a protected area—classified as morphological Ridge—without mandatory clearance from the Supreme Court, as required by its landmark order dated May 9, 1996.
“Fake Permission” Issued In Forest Officer’s Name
The affidavit states that it came to the department’s notice that Rakesh Kumar Sharma had been issued a fraudulent tree-felling permit under the name of the Deputy Conservator’s office.
“It is pertinent to mention that 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/Tree Officer, West Forest Division,” the affidavit notes. In December last year, the forest officer lodged a formal complaint with the Vasant Kunj Police Station, requesting registration of an FIR. However, the police response raised further concerns.
Police Say Forged Document ‘Illegible’; No Action Yet
According to the affidavit, the assistant sub-inspector (ASI) investigating the case reported that the forged document was illegible and that the alleged site of the tree felling could not be located.
