Uttarakhand: The High Court has stayed the order of the Dehradun administration, the matter is related to encroachment and bulldozer
The Uttarakhand High Court heard a special petition filed regarding the bulldozer action started in Dehradun’s Vikasnagar area. A division bench of Chief Justice G Narendra and Justice Ashish Naithani heard their case through video conferencing. Hearing on which, the court stayed the administration’s order of removal without giving them an opportunity to be heard. The High Court has told the state government that demolishing settlements without giving them an opportunity to be heard is not justified. Because there is also a guideline of the Supreme Court. It is necessary to comply with it.
The court has told the state to identify the people who are filling up the rivers and drains. After identifying them, submit a report of the action taken so far to the court by April 15. Earlier, after hearing, the court had given orders to remove the repeated encroachments in three PILs. But the administration did not comply with those orders. On April 3, the court, taking a tough stand, had told the government that wherever there has been encroachment in the rivers, drains and ghats, it should be removed. CCTV cameras should be installed at that place. These should also be managed in the same way by installing CCTV cameras as is done in accident prone areas of roads.
The court had asked the DGP to issue orders to the concerned SHO to register cases against encroachers and submit a report wherever such incidents take place. The court also asked the Secretary Urban Development to publish a message among the citizens of the state that encroachment and illegal mining should not be done in rivers, drains and ravines. Due to which they do not face any kind of accident during the monsoon season. Publicize it widely. Submit the report by April 15.
Taking this as a basis, the administration hurriedly took stock of the encroachments in Dehradun’s Vikasnagar area and other places. They were identified and orders were given to remove the encroachments themselves within 3 days. These include many settlements as well. It was also said in the application that they are not even being given a chance for a hearing. Bulldozer action is being taken directly. Those who have filled up rivers, drains, water sources and ravines have also been identified. But they are not being removed. Therefore, their side should also be heard.
According to the case, Dehradun residents Ajay Narayan Sharma, Renu Pal and Urmila Thapar have filed separate PILs in the High Court saying that heavy construction work is being done in the submerged land in Sasthdhara of Dehradun. Due to which along with drying up of water sources, the environment is being endangered. While in the second petition it has been said that there has been excessive encroachment and illegal construction on drains, khaals and dhaangs in Rishikesh. In the third PIL it has also been said that 100 acres in Dehradun, 140 acres in Vikasnagar, 15 acres in Rishikesh, 15 acres in Doiwala have been encroached upon the land of rivers. Especially Bindal and Rispana rivers have been encroached upon.
