E-Paper
Land encroachment: Himachal HC seeks records of cases filed against govt
A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed this order while hearing a petition against encroachment on government land in Chamba and non-execution of eviction orders by the state
The Himachal Pradesh high court has sought records pertaining to the cases that have been filed against the government and where interim orders are operating against it.
A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed this order while hearing a petition against encroachment on government land in Chamba and non-execution of eviction orders by the state. The HC has also directed to submit as from what date the interim orders are operating and what efforts the government has made to get the encroachment vacated.
Petitioner Tek Chand has alleged that encroachment over the government land in Panjoi was started by a few people and such encroachments have now surpassed 50 and they have built houses and shops on the same and have also got electricity connection without submitting requisite documents. He said land of school has also been encroached upon and illegal activities are going on in and around the school in these shops.
He alleged that he made several complaints and eviction proceedings were initiated against the encroachers, which are pending for long.
The petitioner said the state has issued the eviction order against the encroachers, but has not yet dispossessed the encroachers.
Chamba DC maintained that he has stated eviction proceedings against 47 encroachers and eviction orders were passed against all of them.
However, the eviction orders were executed against 26 persons only as 21 persons filed appeals before the appellate authority-cum-divisional commissioner, Kangra, and in these appeals stay orders were passed in July 2017 and March 2018.
He submitted that matters have been fixed for August 16, 2021, and the application for vacation of interim orders and for early hearing will be filed within four days.
The additional advocate general assured the compliance with court orders and also informed the HC that the question of issuing notices for damages for illegal occupation of the premises of the lands will also be considered by the government by the next date.
The court posted the matter after four weeks.
