New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued a notice banning the encroachment drive in Haldwani, Uttarakhand and has sought a response from the Railways and the Uttarakhand government.
The apex court observed, “How can you ask for eviction in just 7 days? We have to find a practical solution. This is not the way to solve it. There are many angles arising out of the nature of land, nature of rights, nature of ownership, etc., which should be investigated.”
The Supreme Court has banned further construction and development work on that land. The next hearing in the case will be held on February 7.
A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S Oak heard the case. The High Court order also states that it is the land of the state government. Thousands of people will be affected by this decision.
The Supreme Court asked ASG Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Railways, whether there was a land demarcation between the railways and the state government. The lawyer said that under the Special Act of the Railways, the High Court has ordered to remove the encroachment by taking action.
ASG Aishwarya Bhati said that some appeals are pending, but there is no stay in any case. There are 4365 illegal constructions on railway land.