Uttarakhand Forest Land Scandal: SC Demands Truth from State Authorities
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The Supreme Court has ordered the Uttarakhand government to provide a detailed report on the individuals occupying forest land in Rishikesh, hinting at widespread collusion and corruption among state officials. The court was unimpressed with the state's explanation for the large-scale encroachment, questioning why authorities needed a court order to reclaim government land. The bench warned of personal accountability, stating that every officer involved would be held responsible. The case dates back to 1950 when 2,866 acres of land were leased to a charitable organization, only to be withdrawn four decades later. Despite this, private occupation continued, and the Supreme Court has now directed the state to file a detailed affidavit within two weeks, including site plans and the particulars of all occupiers. The high court had previously upheld eviction orders against individuals who had taken possession of the land, citing that it had reverted to the state decades earlier.
