Delhi HC Initiates Contempt Action Against Ex-Forest Department Head

• The Delhi High Court has initiated contempt action against CD Singh and Mandeep Mittal for granting permission to cut down two trees in Greater Kailash Part-II.
• The court found the contemnors guilty under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act for wilfully disobeying orders passed on April 28, 2022 and May 19, 2022.
• The court has asked both officers to file an affidavit explaining why they should not be sent to prison or fined.

Despite repeated directions passed by this Court, requiring the Tree Officers to give consideration before granting permission for cutting of trees, which entails providing reasons for grant or denial of permission in the order granting permission with photographs of each tree, the contemnors/ respondent Nos. 1 [Mittal] and 2 [Singh] continues to grant permission without any application of mind.

The Delhi High Court has taken a stern stance against CD Singh, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, and Mandeep Mittal, who was an ex-tree officer and has since been transferred to the UT of Ladakh, for their role in granting permission to cut down two fully grown trees in Greater Kailash Part-II. This decision was made despite clear court orders to the contrary. The court's standing directive, which requires tree officers to inspect trees before granting permission, was flagrantly disregarded by the contemnors. Their actions have sparked outrage and raised questions about the accountability of forest officials in Delhi.

The case against CD Singh and Mandeep Mittal is built on Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, which deals with wilful disobedience of court orders. The court's July 22 order found that despite repeated directions to consider tree felling permissions carefully, the contemnors continued to grant permission without proper application of mind. This has significant implications for future tree-cutting permissions and compliance with court directives in Delhi. The court's standing directive on tree inspection is a crucial aspect of this case, highlighting the need for forest officials to adhere to established protocols.

The contempt ruling against CD Singh and Mandeep Mittal sends a strong message about the importance of respecting court orders in Delhi. The case highlights the need for accountability among forest officials, who must ensure that tree felling permissions are granted only after careful consideration. This decision also underscores the significance of the court's standing directive on tree inspection, which is designed to protect Delhi's green spaces and prevent reckless tree cutting. As the matter proceeds, lawyers and stakeholders will be watching closely for any potential implications on future compliance with court directives.

Lawyers should watch for the potential implications of this contempt ruling on future tree-cutting permissions and compliance with court directives, particularly in light of the standing directive that tree officers must inspect trees before granting permission.

Source: Original reporting via The Delhi High Court