Haldwani, May 12 -- The District Development Authority (DDA) has issued legal notices to 25 people, including a man accused of raping a minor, over illegal construction activities in the Rukkut Compound area of Nainital, officials said on Sunday. "All individuals have been asked to present documents proving land ownership and building plan approvals," said Vijay Nath Shukla, secretary of DDA. Shukla said that action followed a verification drive in the area, during which 40 properties were inspected. Of these, 25 were found to have been constructed without sanctioned building maps, he said. "Legal notices have been served to the violators, who must present valid land documents and approved building maps during the upcoming hearings. Failing to do so will result in legal action in accordance with building regulations," Shukla added. The ownership status of land in the Rukkut Compound area remains disputed. To resolve the ambiguity, the DDA has formally requested a land status report from the Nainital Municipal Council. The crackdown comes in the wake of heightened public scrutiny after a man was arrested for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl. His arrest triggered three days of widespread protests in Nainital. Amid public outrage, the Nainital Municipal Council issued an encroachment notice to the accused on May 1, citing illegal occupation of municipal and forest land. However, the notice was later withdrawn following a reprimand from the high court, officials confirmed....