New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the Uttarakhand Government for remaining “mute spectators” to the illegal grabbing of forest land and initiated a suo motu case on the issue.

A vacation Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to form an inquiry committee and file a detailed report.

“It is shocking that the State authorities are doing nothing while forest land is being grabbed,” the Court said.
The Court ordered that no construction or creation of third-party rights be allowed on the disputed land. It also directed the Forest Department to take possession of all vacant land, except residential houses.

The matter will be heard again after the Court reopens following winter vacations.

The observations came while hearing a plea by Anita Kandwal, who highlighted large-scale illegal encroachment of forest land in the State.

Himalayan Live Bureau

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