New Delhi, Dec. 22 -- The Supreme Court on Monday initiated suo motu proceedings in connection with alleged large-scale encroachment and illegal occupation of forest land in Uttarakhand.
The matter relating to unauthorised occupation of protected forest land in the hill districts came up before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi during the Court's vacation sitting.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the Bench ordered an immediate halt to all construction activities on forest land. It directed the Forest Department to take possession of all vacant forest land, except where residential houses already exist.
During the hearing, the CJI expressed concern over the alleged inaction of the Stat...