Supreme Court Holds DDA in Contempt for Tree-Felling in Delhi Ridge, Orders Massive Afforestation

The Supreme Court held Delhi Development Authority guilty of contempt of court for unauthorized cutting of about 1,051 trees in the ecologically sensitive Delhi Ridge area without prior permission in violation of its own orders. The Court prefers multi-site afforestation over dependence on a single site.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh termed the felling a “wilful disobedience” of earlier directions and ordered significant remedial measures. The matter arose as a contempt petition arising from ongoing writ proceedings in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (W.P.(C) No. 4677/1985) relating to conservation of the Ridge, in which the Supreme Court had passed an order on 9 May 1996 that henceforth no further encroachment upon the Ridge was allowed without specific judicial approval.

Here, the DDA had proceeded to widen an approach road to the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences hospital and commenced tree-felling on 16 February 2024 without statutory permissions and after its own application was rejected by the Court on 4 March.

The Supreme Court held that while the objective of improving access to the hospital might be laudable, it did not excuse violation of the Court’s prior orders or the statutory regime under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 and related environmental obligations.

In light of the above, the Court ordered as follows: Every DDA official, except the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson, who ordered the felling of the trees, shall pay an “environment fee” of โ‚น25,000. The DDA has to undertake large-scale afforestation at the site under the supervision of a three-member committee comprising experts Ishwar Singh, Sunil Limaye and Pradip Krishen within the stipulated period. National Herald One-off levy to be imposed on the affluent residents of the Ridge area that benefit from the widened road as part of the remedial framework.

The proceedings are closed against certain senior officials including the Lieutenant-Governor who were found not to have been directly responsible, but the finding of contempt remains against the DDA as an institution. The ratio from this judgement makes it clear that public bodies cannot treat ecologically sensitive areas as mere convenient sites for expansion of infrastructure without judicial/statutory clearance, beforehand. Disobedience to the orders of the court invites contempt and activates monetary and institutional liability. It strengthens the environmental jurisprudence that even infrastructure projects relating to public purposes must conform to the procedural as well as substantive environmental safeguards.

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Sawalsha Leasing & Finance Internship 2025: Legal Intern (Corporate Law & Compliance) โ€“ Apply Now

Sawalsha Leasing & Finance Legal Internship 2025

Sawalsha Leasing & Finance Legal Internship 2025 is now open for applications from law students seeking hands-on experience in the field of corporate law, NBFC compliance, and regulatory affairs. Based in Connaught Place, New Delhi, Sawalsha Leasing & Finance Pvt. Ltd. is a registered Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) offering valuable exposure to students who wish to build careers in corporate law, compliance, and the financial sector.

This internship offers law students a rare opportunity to combine classroom learning with real-world experience in financial services law. Students will gain practical skills in drafting, compliance, regulatory filings, and policy review. Applications are now open, and interested candidates can apply by sending their updated CVs to hr@sawalsha.com.

Organization Overview

  • Organization: Sawalsha Leasing & Finance Pvt. Ltd.
  • Industry: Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
  • Location: Connaught Place, New Delhi
  • Focus Areas: Corporate Law, RBI Compliance, Labour Laws, and Financial Regulations

Internship Position

  • Role: Legal Intern
  • Type: Full-time Internship
  • Duration: Flexible, as per mutual discussion between the intern and the organization
  • Mode: On-site (Connaught Place, New Delhi)

Eligibility Criteria

The Sawalsha Leasing & Finance Legal Internship 2025 is open to:

  • Education: Law students pursuing LL.B. or B.A. LL.B. (3rd year or above)
  • Skills Required:
    • Strong legal research and drafting abilities
    • Basic knowledge of corporate law, labour law, and RBI compliance preferred
    • Attention to detail, structured writing, and analytical thinking
    • Ability to work in a professional corporate environment
  • Mindset: Eagerness to learn, adaptability, and willingness to take on challenging assignments

Key Responsibilities

Selected interns will actively participate in:

  1. Drafting & Documentation: Preparing and reviewing legal documents, agreements, and corporate contracts.
  2. Compliance Support: Assisting in regulatory compliance under the Companies Act, RBI guidelines, and NBFC-specific requirements.
  3. Legal Research: Conducting legal research on case laws, regulations, and industry practices and preparing detailed research notes.
  4. Regulatory Filings: Supporting the compliance team in filings with authorities.
  5. Policy & Contract Review: Reviewing company policies and vendor contracts for compliance with applicable laws.
  6. Reports & Briefs: Preparing internal notes and assisting senior professionals in advisory work.

Why Join Sawalsha Leasing & Finance Legal Internship 2025?

  • Industry Exposure: Gain direct insights into the NBFC sector and corporate law practices.
  • Practical Learning: Apply classroom concepts in a real-world environment, dealing with compliance, corporate governance, and regulatory matters.
  • Skill Development: Strengthen drafting, research, and compliance reporting skills.
  • Mentorship: Learn directly from experienced professionals in corporate law and financial regulation.
  • Career Advantage: Enhance your CV with relevant corporate and financial law internship experience, opening pathways for future opportunities in law firms, corporates, and regulatory bodies.

Salary/Stipend

  • Stipend: Not specified (likely unpaid/experience-based, but with significant learning benefits). Candidates should clarify during the application process.

How to Apply

  • Application Deadline: Rolling basis โ€“ candidates are advised to apply early.
  • Mode of Application: Email

Steps to Apply

  1. Update your CV highlighting relevant skills (drafting, research, compliance knowledge).
  2. Write a concise cover email expressing interest in the internship.
  3. Use the subject line: Application โ€“ Legal Intern (Sawalsha Leasing & Finance).
  4. Send your application to: hr@sawalsha.com.

Tips for Applicants

  • Emphasize corporate law coursework, internships, or moot court experiences in your CV.
  • If you have completed projects on company law or NBFC regulations, highlight them clearly.
  • Showcase research and drafting ability, as these are the most valued skills for this internship.
  • Keep your application professional, error-free, and properly formatted.

Important Details

  • Location: Connaught Place, New Delhi
  • Duration: Flexible โ€“ will be decided mutually
  • Eligibility: Law students (3rd year onwards)
  • Application Email: hr@sawalsha.com
  • Subject Line: โ€œApplication โ€“ Legal Intern (Sawalsha Leasing & Finance)โ€

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the internship being offered under Sawalsha Leasing & Finance Legal Internship 2025?
It is a full-time Legal Internship at the NBFCโ€™s Connaught Place office in New Delhi.

Q2. Who can apply?
Law students (LL.B./B.A. LL.B.) in their 3rd year or above are eligible.

Q3. What skills are preferred?
Legal research, drafting skills, knowledge of corporate law, RBI compliance, and labour law.

Q4. What kind of work will interns do?
Interns will draft legal documents, assist in compliance and filings, conduct research, review contracts, and support policy analysis.

Q5. What is the duration of the internship?
The duration is flexible and will be decided by mutual discussion between the intern and the company.

Q6. Is there a stipend?
The stipend is not specified. Candidates should confirm during the application process.

Q7. Where is the internship located?
At the companyโ€™s office in Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Q8. How can I apply?
Send your updated CV with the subject line โ€œApplication โ€“ Legal Intern (Sawalsha Leasing & Finance)โ€ to hr@sawalsha.com.


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