The Uttarakhand High Court on Tuesday heard a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the closure of a decades-old road used by residents of Salbhoji and nearby villages in Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar. The road has been blocked after the forest department claimed ownership of the route.
Court Directs Government to Respond
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay directed the state government to file its response within four weeks. The court also instructed the government to clarify its stand in light of the documents submitted with the PIL.
Petitioner's Claims
According to the petition filed by resident Naresh Kumar, villagers have been using the road since 1959, and it is recorded in gram sabha revenue records. The petition alleges that the forest department is now claiming ownership of the land and closing the road, which residents say is their only access route.
Government's Argument
During the hearing, counsel for the state government argued that the land belongs to the forest division, which is now seeking to take possession of it. This move is being opposed by the residents.
Court's Observation
The court observed that the records attached to the PIL were also issued by the government itself. It questioned how the state could simultaneously claim the land belongs to the forest division. The court directed the government to clarify its position on the issue.
About the Author: Pankul Sharma is a journalist based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with over 22 years of experience. He currently serves as a special correspondent, covering the Judiciary (High Court, NGT, Consumer Commission, and Tribunals), Archaeology, Culture, and Industry.
