Young Delhi environmental activist attacked, cops refuse to file FIR in forest protection case

By A Representative

A young environmental activist leading the fight to save Delhi's Dwarka forest was allegedly assaulted in a hit-and-run incident, and local police have refused to file a First Information Report (FIR), according to a joint press release by the National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ) and the Delhi chapter of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

Naveen Solanki, 23, a resident of Shahbad Mohammedpur village, Dwarka, has been at the forefront of efforts to protect the 120-acre forest behind the T3 Terminal of IGI Airport from encroaching development projects, including those by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).  On February 9, 2025, Solanki was allegedly deliberately run over by a tractor driven by an employee of Subhash Saini, a resident of the same village.  The tractor's rear tire ran over Solanki's feet, causing severe injuries.  Saini then allegedly physically and verbally assaulted Solanki.

The groups allege the tractor was being used to illegally dump construction and demolition waste in the forest, a practice that violates a Supreme Court stay order issued on September 17, 2024, prohibiting any construction, damage, or tree felling on the land.  Despite the alleged hit-and-run and the ongoing illegal dumping, police have refused to register an FIR based on Solanki's complaint.  Solanki has also reportedly received indirect threats to stop pursuing the matter.

"Subhash ordered his driver to run the tractor over Naveen… This could have cost his life," said Tannuja Chauhan from the 'Save Dwarka Forest' movement.  "Despite the serious nature of the case, the local police refused to register an FIR."

NACEJ and NAPM have written to the Commissioner of Police and the Director General of the Railway Protection Force, demanding the registration of an FIR against Saini and the driver, an investigation into alleged police corruption, protection for Solanki and other campaigners, and enforcement of the Supreme Court's stay order.

"It is deeply disturbing that citizens trying to safeguard a forest… are being harassed, intimidated, and injured in this manner," stated Neelam Ahluwalia from People for Aravallis and NACEJ.  Soumya Dutta, a senior environmental scientist and member of NAPM, added, "We have urged… action as per law [and] strict action against any Police or Railway officers found complicit."

The Dwarka Forest, a natural forest that grew on land acquired by the RLDA in the 2000s, has been under threat from development projects.  In 2022, the RLDA was fined for illegally felling trees.  Solanki and the 'Save Dwarka Movement' took the matter to the Supreme Court, which issued the stay order.  Despite the order, illegal activities continue, prompting this latest incident and raising concerns about the safety of environmental activists.