Rishikesh protesters block highway, ‘pelt stones’ at officials days after Supreme Court direction on forest land encroachment

The matter pertains to 2,866 acres of notified forest land, a part of which was allegedly leased to Pashulok Sewa Samiti, a society in Rishikesh. The society allegedly further allotted parcels of land to its members. In 1984, when the society came under liquidation, it surrendered 594 acres of land to the Forest Department, but some private individuals are said to have taken possession of the land in 2001.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “What seems shocking to us is that the State of Uttarakhand and its Authorities are sitting as silent spectators when the forest land is being systematically grabbed in front of their eyes.”

Issuing notice to the state, the CJI said that it would enlarge the scope of these proceedings suo motu. Further, the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Uttarakhand, were directed to constitute an enquiry committee to examine all the facts and submit a report to the court.

A compliance report is to be submitted before January 5.

In 1950, a large chunk of land — 2,866 acres — was leased out to Pashulok Seva Samiti for the purpose of allotting it to the landless families of the area. Subsequently, the land allotment was withdrawn by the Forest Department of the Uttar Pradesh government in 1984. The petitioner, Anita Kandwal, came into possession of the land in 2001, which resulted in the filing of an application by the department before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Rishikesh.