New Delhi: The Central government has officially informed the Supreme Court that several state governments, along with various other entities, have encroached upon defence lands. In response, efforts are actively being made to remove these encroachments.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi has directed the high-powered independent committee, established by the Centre, to closely monitor the progress of these eviction efforts and submit an interim report within two weeks.
Attorney General R Venkataramani informed the court that while the committee is actively identifying and visiting sites with encroachments, they are encountering some resistance. He highlighted the need for the court’s guidance and intervention to facilitate the process.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO Common Cause, which initiated a Public Interest Litigation in 2014 concerning alleged defence land encroachments nationwide, emphasized the importance of the committee examining the issue at a granular level. He also noted the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendation for an independent regulatory body.
The bench acknowledged that any established body would require the cooperation of local revenue authorities and law enforcement agencies. The court indicated that further directions would be considered once the interim report is filed, scheduling the next hearing for November 10.
Earlier, on July 30, the Centre’s affidavit revealed that out of a total of 75,629 acres of defence land, approximately 2,024 acres are currently under encroachment by individuals. Additionally, 1,575 acres are being used by former agricultural lessees without authorization, with eviction proceedings already underway.
The Ministry of Defence’s report also indicated that about 819 acres of defence land are occupied by state and central government departments for public utility purposes, including roads, schools, and bus stands.
The government is exploring land exchange possibilities with concerned authorities to resolve the occupation of defence land by state government organizations. To streamline the eviction process, the Directorate General Defence Estates has launched a new digital module for reporting encroachments.
Preventive measures, such as constructing boundary walls and fencing vulnerable plots, are also being implemented. Over the past decade, roughly 1,715 acres of defence land have been cleared of encroachments. In the current year alone, technological advancements and administrative support have led to the removal of encroachments from about 220 acres.
However, the Defence Estates Organisation frequently faces operational challenges, including a lack of police and magistrate support, judicial stays, and procedural issues, which often delay enforcement actions. The Centre’s affidavit detailed various measures being taken to expedite the removal of encroachments and digitize land records.
The Supreme Court had previously, on May 7, raised concerns about irregularities in defence land allotments to private entities and considered forming a probe team.
The court had pointed out instances of luxurious bungalows, expansive open spaces, and large shopping complexes on defence land, reportedly built with the collusion of defence estates officers. The PIL seeking a CBI probe into defence land encroachment and misuse dates back to 2014.