CM URGES L-G TO EXPEDITE PROBE IN TREE FELLING AT GOLF CLUB

NEWDELHI: CHIEF minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday sought lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal’s intervention to expedite police probe into alleged illegal tree felling at the Delhi Golf Club.

In a letter to the L-G, Kejriwal said the government’s forest department had prepared a report in the case based on which the police can investigate the matter. The report says the department recovered 3,000 logs from various pits within the club premises. The logs had been buried to suppress the evidence of tree felling, it stated.

The CM said the complainant had written to him and that documents submitted by him show that the trees belong to the government and could not have been cut or removed without its permission.

He said the complainant had pointed out that several influential people, including three former union home secretaries, two former police commissioners and several serving Delhi Police officers are members of the club, along with the current union home secretary, “therefore, the complainant has an apprehension that no investigation will be carried out”.

An official spokesperson of Delhi Golf Club said, “The club has extended all support during the investigation by forest department and the local police officials. We have full faith in law and shall continue to cooperate in any further investigation in the matter. The club does not advocate or support cutting of trees and will take necessary legal recourse as required to protect its interests.”

Kejriwal’s letter comes days after the police asked the forest department to conduct a survey of trees in the club after a complaint of illegal cutting of trees on its premises was registered in July this year.

The L-G office did not reply to calls and text messages, seeking a comment on CM’S letter.