SC to examine plea over encroachment of defence land

The Supreme Court Monday agreed to examine a PIL, demanding investigation into alleged encroachment into 2 lakh acre of land vested with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The court said it will also analyse whether the MoD really needed 17.31 lakh acre of land spanning across the country.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam agreed to hear the petition alleging massive mismanagement of defence lands leading to various scams, including Sukna, Adarsh Society and others, and issued notices to the government and the Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE).

The court passed the order on the PIL filed by an NGO ‘Common Cause’ which also sought direction for a comprehensive audit of defence lands to recover the lands under encroachment as well as the losses to the public exchequer on account of its unauthorised and commercial exploitation.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, referred to various CAG reports to highlight encroachment of defence lands. “In most defence land scams, defence officials have been found to be hand-in-glove with Army officials and private developers,” the petition stated.