The Rajasthan High Court disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the petitioners seeking intervention of the High Court in the matter of alleged encroachment over the lands which are forest lands.
It is stated that representation has been made to the authorities of the Forest Department for removal of encroachment, but no action has been taken.
“Representation placed before us does not contain the details of the persons to whom representation was made, but it is accompanied by a postal receipt”, the Jaipur Bench of Acting Chief Justice Mahindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Anil Kumar Upman noted.
Considering the above, the High Court disposed of the petition with liberty to the petitioners to approach District Conservator of Forests, Sawai Madhopur (Respondent No. 4) within a period of 30 days .
“If such representation is made by the petitioners before Respondent No. 4, District Conservator of Forests, Sawai Madhopur, the authority shall get the complaint enquired into and if it is found that any encroachment is made on forest land, appropriate proceedings for removal of encroachment shall be drawn as early as possible”, the Bench directed.
It is further directed by the High Court that in the enquiry for removal of the encroachment, the persons, who are alleged to be encroachers, shall be afforded an opportunity of hearing.