THE SUPREME COURT ON MONDAY took suo motu cognisance of large-scale encroachment and illegal occupation of the protected forest land in Uttarakhand, directing an immediate halt on all construction activities on such land and ordering the State’s Chief Secretary to constitute a fact-finding committee to examine the extent of encroachments and official inaction.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took suo motu notice of large-scale encroachments and grabbing of the protected forest lands including unauthorised construction, while hearing a petition by one Anita Kandwal challenging November 14, 2025, Uttarakhand High Court order. Taking note of the allegations and materials placed on record, the Bench converted the proceedings into a suo motu case, observing that the situation warranted urgent judicial intervention.
Expressing strong disapproval of the State administration’s conduct, the Chief Justice said the authorities had failed to act despite forest land being openly encroached upon.
