HC to hear plea on forest land misuse

Large chunks of private forest lands, according to the report, were being held by influential people including high-ranking forest officials.These lands have not been acquired by the forest department for more than two decades since the Act came into force, the report had stated.

A senior judge while taking cognisance of the same, had summoned the reporter of the daily for assisting the court and the matter was listed for motion hearing before the Division Bench of Justices V S Sirpurkar and S B Mhase.

During a brief proceeding yesterday, the Bench expressed that it was admitting the matter and sought to know whether the daily would like to contest the same through its lawyer or was expecting the court to appoint an amicus curiae (friend of the court). Advocate V V Bhangde, representing the daily, submitted that he was engaged by his client for contesting the matter.Later, the Bench admitted the matter and ordered issuance of notices to the State Government and the officials concerned.

The notice are returnable by November 20. It further asked Bhangde to file by November 6, a well-drafted petition incorporating the issue that has been sought to be raised in public interest. Government Pleader Dinkar Kukday accepted the notices on behalf of the State.