Supreme Court Takes Stern Action Over Illegal Encroachment on Forest Land in Uttarakhand: Links Between Land Grabbers and Officials Under Scrutiny

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over illegal constructions on forest land in Uttarakhand and has demanded a comprehensive report from the state government within two weeks. The report must include site maps and detailed descriptions of the illegal constructions. The court also raised questions about the apparent collusion between officials and land grabbers, citing negligence in protecting government land.

A bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant had previously raised serious concerns on 22 December regarding large-scale and systematic encroachment on forest land in Uttarakhand. The court proposed widening the scope of the investigation to probe the shocking failure of the state machinery in protecting forest areas.

Court’s Observation on Collusion Between Officials and Land Grabbers
The bench expressed concern that it appeared the state officials were complicit with land grabbers, allowing encroachments to take place on government land, only to later present themselves as innocent by hiding behind court orders.

Chief Justice Suryakant criticized the ongoing negligence by state officials and described the situation as one of apparent collusion and malpractice. The bench remarked, “We want to know the extent of encroachment on forest land.”

Two-Week Deadline for State Government’s Report
The court has ordered the Uttarakhand government to file a comprehensive affidavit within two weeks, which must include a detailed site map and an estimated account of the illegal constructions along with their nature. The bench had earlier indicated that the encroachment on forest land was widespread, and it has proposed expanding the investigation to scrutinize the failure of the state machinery in safeguarding forest land.

The case was being heard in response to a petition filed by Anita Kadwal, and the bench had earlier instructed all private individuals involved to refrain from transferring or encumbering any land in question.