AAP demands LG’s resignation for felling trees illegally in S Delhi Ridge

Environment minister Gopal Rai said the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) felled the trees without obtaining permission

New Delhi

Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal speaks in the assembly. (HT Photo)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday, citing the illegal felling of 1,100 trees in Satbari, south Delhi, on the alleged instructions of lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena, demanded his resignation.

AAP MLA Rajesh Gupta said: “The LG should resign from his post because without him resigning, necessary action cannot be taken against him.”

Environment minister Gopal Rai said the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) felled the trees without obtaining permission.

“On the orders of LG sahab, DDA cut down 1,100 trees in the Ridge area of Delhi and later went to the Supreme Court to get permission to cut these trees but they did not get the permission. I challenge LG sahab, BJP and their DDA to show the permission to cut these trees,” Rai said.

HT reached out to the LG, but there was no response. The DDA also did not respond to requests for comment.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta said the Delhi government was “misleading the public regarding the issue of cutting down 422 trees to widen a road for the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences.”