New Delhi, May 28 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the conduct of DDA on illegal felling of trees in the Southern Ridge of Delhi to widen a road was contemptuous and issued detailed directions for remedial measures needed by the Authority and the Delhi government.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotishwar Singh said that the DDA officers had clearly committed contempt of court by not getting the Supreme Court's permission, which was required under a 1996 ruling, before tree-felling in the area.

However, the bench opined that the lapse was a result of a genuine misjudgment and the reason for the tree felling was for a good cause to enable better access to a hospital for paramilitary personnel.

Hence, the top court decide...