Expedite removal of encroachments: Gauhati High Court

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A division bench of the Gauhati High Court has asked the Assam Government to expedite the removal of encroachments of lands, and submit the latest status report to this court on May 29, 2023.

The bench comprises Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Mitali Thakuria. The bench issued this order after hearing the suo motto PIL (10/2018) based on a media report that the administration was allegedly turning a blind eye to land grabbing in Guwahati.

The bench made it clear that in whatever cases, the encroachers are entitled to rehabilitation, and the government should take appropriate steps as per norms.

The counsel of the State Revenue Department has placed on record a copy of the minutes of the meeting held on March 30, 2023, in compliance with the directions given by this Court by order issued on February 6, 2023.

“A perusal of the minutes would reveal that for most of the locations, the reports of the Circle Officers concerned are awaited and the action of eviction has been stalled for want of such reports,” the counsel said. Regarding encroachments made in LGB Chest Hospital, the counsel said that some of the encroachers, after receiving the eviction notices, have filed writ petitions before the single bench, wherein stay orders have been passed.

The bench expressed its expectation that the Department’s counsel would bring to the notice of the learned single bench the directions given by the division bench in this PIL petition. “The latest status report shall be submitted for the Court’s perusal on the next date of listing,” the order said.

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