The Supreme Court of India delivered a scathing rebuke to the Uttarakhand government on Monday, questioning its decades-long inaction against the systematic encroachment of thousands of hectares of precious forest land. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi, warned that every executive officer in the state would be held personally accountable for what it termed "consistent and perceived negligence," hinting at possible collusion with land grabbers.
A State in 'Slumber' for 23 Years
The apex court's sharp remarks came during a hearing on a plea concerning land titles. The Court pointed out that Uttarakhand, which was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in the year 2000, had done little to protect its forest land from being illegally occupied. "First, you explain your conduct. You came into existence in 2000. What have you done after that?" the bench demanded.
Expressing shock at the state's role as a "silent spectator," the CJI sarcastically noted, "So from 2000, you took 23 years to wake up and find out that your land has been encroached." The Court dismissed the state's actions, including eviction notices issued in 2023, as merely "ceremonial," especially since those notices were subsequently stayed by the Uttarakhand High Court.
Court Demands Concrete Details and Threatens Deeper Probe
The Supreme Court has given the state a strict deadline of two weeks to file a comprehensive counter affidavit. This document must include detailed site plans, the nature and approximate scale of constructions on the encroached government and forest land. The bench stated this information is crucial to decide if a more extensive investigation is required.
"We will hold each and every one in your executive accountable. God knows who the encroachers are, with which politician or which authority or who are the influential persons who are hobnobbing," CJI Kant asserted. The court order explicitly mentioned that the interim report from a state-constituted inquiry committee indicated a "shocking failure of the state machinery" and a scenario of possible "collusion and connivance with the land grabbers."
Ongoing Ban and Future Accountability
The Court has maintained its interim orders from December 23, 2023, which include a ban on any construction, sale, or transfer of the disputed land. While the state counsel claimed that anti-encroachment drives had begun but faced violent resistance, the bench remained unimpressed, focusing on the historical inaction.
The next hearing will scrutinize the state's affidavit, which must detail all actions taken since Uttarakhand's formation. The Supreme Court's firm stance sets a precedent for holding bureaucratic and political authorities responsible for the long-term plunder of natural resources, signaling that excuses of procedural delays or legal stays will no longer be tolerated.
