The Supreme Court has issued show cause notices to senior Delhi government officials, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner, and a private developer, seeking explanations for alleged violations of its 1996 directive under the M C Mehta vs Union of India case and going ahead with construction of a housing society in the “morphological ridge” area, an ecologically sensitive zone, in Vasant Kunj.
The 1996 directive has held that ridge land must be safeguarded against encroachment and non-forest use without prior court approval.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, in an order dated May 7, directed that notices be issued to Delhi Principal Secretary (Environment and Forests) Anil Kumar Singh, Deputy Conservator of Forests (West) Amit Gemawat and MCD Commissioner Ashwani Kumar.
Notices were also issued to Rakesh Sharma and Sunita Sharma, partners in RR Texknit LLP, which is building the housing project at Vasant Kunj’s morphological ridge area.
The action stems from a contempt petition filed by environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari, who had challenged the permissions granted to the housing project being developed by RR Texknit LLP.
The Indian Express had reported on March 25 that the project – touted as the first private housing scheme in the fragile morphological ridge area to receive a conditional environmental clearance without approval from the SC – would come up on an area of 25,650 sq m, and include three basements, a stilt, and nine floors.
The development had sparked protests from environmentalists and local residents, who argued that it violated longstanding SC orders mandating preservation of the ridge in its “pristine glory”.
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The case pertains to the protection of Delhi’s ridge, an important green area that acts as the city’s lung and a key part of the Aravalli Range.
Though not entirely notified under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the SC, in multiple orders, including the landmark 1996 directive, had held that ridge land must be safeguarded against encroachment and non-forest use without prior court approval.
In 2016, the SC had held that even land outside the notified ridge area but with similar morphological features requires clearance from the Ridge Management Board and prior permission from the court for non-forest use.
The contempt petition alleged that the authorities were not only aware of these restrictions but actively facilitated the project. It cited failure to act on illegal tree felling, and contradictory status reports filed on part of the Forest Department.
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“Counter affidavit shall be filed by the respondents within a period of two weeks…,” read Wednesday’s order.
In the order, however, the SC had deferred serving show cause notice to Mandeep Mittal and Vipul Pandey, both former deputy conservators of forests (West), and Gyanesh Bharti, former MCD commissioner, noting that they had since been transferred.
However, leaving open the possibility of issuing notices to them at a later stage, the SC said, “If need be, notice will be issued to them at an appropriate stage.”
Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai.
Professional Background
Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education.
Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses:
1. The Air Pollution Crisis
"A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure.
"Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR.
"Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter.
2. Enforcement & Regulations
"No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy.
3. Education Policy
"Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025.
"Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation.
Signature Style
Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws.
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