Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 12: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today came down heavily on the Government for failing to apprise it of the current status of forest land encroachments in village Hari, warning that strict orders may follow if clarity is not furnished.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal was hearing PIL filed by inhabitants of village Hari, when it noted that a status report dated 22.08.2025 had acknowledged the existence of five encroachments on forest land, proposed to be removed after finalisation of demarcation by Revenue authorities.
However, when the Bench sought an update on the ground situation, the Senior AAG expressed inability to give instructions regarding the present status of removal of encroachments and sought time to file a specific affidavit. The High Court granted a short accommodation to the respondents for placing the affidavit on record.
The Bench also directed the petitioners to respond to certain averments made in the status report by way of an affidavit. The matter has been adjourned to February 19, 2026.
Making its position clear, the High Court cautioned that appropriate orders shall follow if the required affidavits are not filed before the next date of hearing, signaling a tough stance on continued inaction in matters concerning protection of forest land.
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