Delhi minister says cops refused to file FIR against cutting of trees, seeks police chief's intervention

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain today alleged the police refused to register an FIR in connection with felling of trees in the Netaji Nagar in violation of a high court order, and wrote to city police chief Amulya Patnaik seeking his intervention.

Hussain had earlier this week said he received a complaint from environment activist Vimlendu Jha that trees were being cut at the Netaji Nagar despite the stay by the Delhi High Court till July 4.

He directed the Forest Department to lodge an FIR against the people responsible for it. But Hussain said the police were refusing to file an FIR in the case and sought Patnaik's intervention in the matter.

He has also asked for an appointment with the police commissioner to discuss the matter.

The proposal to cut tress was made for re-development of seven colonies in the South Delhi.

Under the redevelopment project, the NBCC and the CPWD will be building 25,667 government flats which will also have arrangements for 70,000 underground car parking.

The government-owned real estate development body NBCC is redeveloping Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, while the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is managing the rest four colonies in Kasturba Nagar, Thyagraj Nagar, Srinivaspuri and Mohammadpur.

The re-development would require chopping off of over 14,000 trees.

The proposal to cut tress triggered a massive protest following which the NBCC and the CPWD agreed in the high court to halt the felling of trees till July 4.