Notably, the Court decided to look into the allegations of Defence Ministry land encroachment by registering a suo motu PIL which was thereafter heard on April 24.
During this hearing, the State government’s counsel, advocate Nishant Shukla, informed the land in question was handed over for use by the Indian Army for a period of five years by a January 20, 2021 notification.
He added, however, that the title of the land has not been transferred to the Defence Ministry.
He further informed that even prior to the 2021 notification, there were persons occupying the land. These persons continue to occupy the said land and there has been no subsequent illegal encroachment, the Court was told.
The Court is yet to hear the Defence Ministry’s response in the matter. Senior Advocate and Deputy Solicitor General of India, SB Pandey, assisted by advocate Varun Pandey, took time to get instructions from the Defence Ministry.
The Court was also told that certain residents of the land wished to file an intervention application.
The matter will be heard after three weeks.
Source: Barandbench
