The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Uttarakhand
government over the grabbing of forest land, observing that the state
government and its authorities were sitting like "mute spectators",
and initiated a suo motu case.
A vacation bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and
Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the chief secretary of Uttarakhand to form an
inquiry committee and submit a report.
"What is shocking to us is that the State of
Uttarakhand and authorities are sitting like mute spectators when forest land
is being grabbed in front of their eyes. Thus we initiate a suo motu case.
"Chief secretary of Uttarakhand and Principal
conservation secretary is instructed to form a fact finding committee and
submit a report. Private parties are stopped from creating any third party
rights and no construction shall take place," the bench said.
The top court said vacant land, other than
residential houses, shall be taken in possession by the forest department.
It posted the matter for hearing on Monday after
reopening of the court following vacations.
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by Anita
Kandwal pertaining to illegal possession of a large chunk of forest land in
Uttarakhand.