HC asks ASI to issue fresh eviction notices to Khandagiri encroachers

Cuttack: The Orissa high court has asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to serve fresh notices to the illegal occupants residing in and around Khandagiri to facilitate the Khurda district administration’s efforts to clear the area of encroachments.Khandagiri has 15 caves associated with Jainism and is believed to have been carved out around second century BC. The site was declared protected in 1912. Since the site is under ASI protection, the govt can’t remove encroachers without its notice. Once the notices are served, the Khurda district administration will have the authority to evict the encroachers from in and around caves 8, 9, and 11.Directing the superintending archaeologist, ASI (Bhubaneswar circle), to serve notice to the illegal settlers, the two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Ratho stated, “If the encroachers do not remove the encroachments within the stipulated time, the district magistrate, Khurda shall take steps for removal of such encroachments in accordance with law.” In its Oct 11 order, the bench added, “It is expected that the district magistrate, Khurda, shall take steps to find out the names and other details of persons, who are in unauthorised occupation of areas in question and furnish the same to the superintending archaeologist, ASI, Bhubaneswar (Circle) within two weeks.”The order was issued on a petition seeking judicial intervention against unauthorised encroachments at the protected site. Shree Khandagiri Udaygiri Digambara Jain Sidha Khetra, a Cuttack-based organisation, had filed the PIL. The bench posted the matter to Nov 12 for further consideration and directed the district magistrate, Khurda, and superintending archaeologist, ASI (Bhubaneswar circle) to be present in court on that day.

MMC issued notices to vacate encroached govt land

Mussoorie Municipal Council has issued eviction notices to 99 encroachers at Barah Kainchi and near Municipal Gardens, following a high court directive on a public interest litigation. The residents, some of whom have lived there for over 15 years, expressed concerns over the imminent removal, fearing loss of shelter without a viable alternative.

HC directs removal of encroachments from waterbody

The Madras High Court has ordered Ramanathapuram district officials to survey and remove encroachments from a waterbody in Marungoor village. The directive follows a petition by Mathavi, who also requested desilting. The Thiruvadanai tahsildar will conduct the survey, and any encroachments found will be removed through due process within four months.

Human rights panel issues notices to district magistrate, inspector prisons

The Goa Human Rights Commission has taken notice of a TOI report about an undertrial who attempted self-immolation at Colvale Central Jail and has called for inquiries from the district magistrate and inspector general of prisons. The incident involved a prisoner with psychological issues linked to a long-term rape case imprisonment without bail.

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