'Ridge belongs to people, not govt'

Delhi High Court pulls up officials for building path in Central Ridge without due approvals

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AFFIRMING that the Central Ridge here was not the property of the forest department but belonged to citizens, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up officials for constructing a six-to-eight feet wide path there without due approvals.

Justice Jasmeet Singh underscored that the forest department was only a custodian and preserver of the forest area in the national capital and asked the officials to place before the court the entire record pertaining to the construction of the passage in the Central Ridge.

"Ridge is not the proprietary property of the forest department. You are only a custodian of our rights. you can't deal with it in a cursory manner.

You are not the owner of the Ridge. You are required for conservation of things existing at the Ridge which belongs to the citizens of the country, especially Delhi," the court said.