The Supreme Court on Monday strongly criticised the Uttarakhand government over the alleged grabbing of forest land. The court stated that the state government and its authorities were acting like “mute spectators” and decided to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.
A vacation bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to set up an inquiry committee and submit a detailed report.
The bench said it was shocked that the Uttarakhand government and its authorities were watching silently while forest land was being encroached upon. “We are therefore initiating a suo motu case,” the court said.
"Chief secretary of Uttarakhand and Principal conservation secretary is instructed to form a fact finding committee and submit a report. Private parties are stopped from creating any third party rights and no construction shall take place," the bench said.
The apex court further directed that vacant land, except for existing residential houses, should be taken back into possession by the forest department.
The matter has been listed for hearing on Monday after the court reopens following the vacation.
The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by Anita Kandwal regarding the illegal occupation of a large area of forest land in Uttarakhand.
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