Page No.# 1/22 vs Union Of India And 9 Ors
2025 Latest Caselaw 8588 Gua

Gauhati High Court

Page No.# 1/22 vs Union Of India And 9 Ors on 17 November, 2025

Author: Manish Choudhury

Bench: Manish Choudhury

                                                               Page No.# 1/22

GAHC010239942025




                                                        2025:GAU-AS:15536

                      THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT
  (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

                          Case No. : WP(C)/6167/2025

         ABDUL JABBAR AND 113 ORS.
         SON OF ABDUL KHALEK, VILLAGE LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV)
         BAITHALANGSHO, DIST. NAGAON, ASSAM

         2: NEKBAR ALI
          FAJAR ALI
         VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
         DIST- NAGAON
         ASSAM

         3: ALAL UDDIN
          S/O MANIR UDDIN
         VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
         DIST- NAGAON
         ASSAM.

         4: HARJAT ALI.
          S/O- ISMAT ALI.
         VILL- LONGJUP N C BAITHALANGSHO.
         DIST- NAGAON
         ASSAM.

         5: SAFIKUL ISLAM
          S/O- AKKAS ALI.
         VILL- LONGJUP JARONI BARPANI BAGAN
          BAITHALANGSHO.
         DIST- NAGAON
         ASSAM.

         6: BADRUL @ BADARUL ISLAM
          S/O- SHUKKUR ALI.
         VILL- BARPANI JURIPAR SINGI MARI
          KAMPUR.
         DIST- NAGAON
                                                       Page No.# 2/22

ASSAM.

7: ABUL KASEM.
 S/O- FAJAR ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

8: RAMJAN ALI.
 S/O- ABUL KASEM.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

9: ISMAHIL ALI.
 S/O- NUR ISLAM.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

10: AHAMMAD ALI
 S/O- MIRAJ ALI.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

11: ACHAR ALI.
 S/O- MIRAJ ALI.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

12: HARJAT @ HARAJAT ALI
 S/O- HACHEN ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

13: IDRICH @ IDRIS ALI
 S/O- CHULAMAN @ CHULMAN ALI.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.
                                                       Page No.# 3/22

14: HARMUJ ALI
 S/O- USMAN ALI.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KACHUA.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

15: SEKBAR ALI
 S/O- FAJAR ALI.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

16: ABDUL KUDDUS
 S/O- ABDUL MATALIB.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

17: RUHUL AMIN.
 S/O- USEN ALI.
VILL- BORPANI LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

18: MAIN UDDIN
 S/O- SAMSUL HAQUE.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

19: ABDUL KADDUS @ KUDDUS
 S/O- JULMAT ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

20: RAHIMA KHATUN
W/O- ICHAMADDIN.
VILL- BARPANI LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

21: DULAL MIYA.
 S/O- LAL MAMUD.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
                                                       Page No.# 4/22

DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

22: INNAS ALI.
 S/O- SULMAN ALI.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

23: JAKIR HUSSEN.
 S/O- AKKAS ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP N.C BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

24: ABDUL AUWAL.
 S/O-ABDUL MATALIB.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

25: NIRALA BEGUM
W/O- AFAJ UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

26: JUCHANARA BEGUM
 S/O- KAJIM UDDIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

27: AKBAR ALI
 S/O- MOJAFAR ALI.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

28: NUR HUSSEN.
 S/O-ABDUL MALEK.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.
                                                       Page No.# 5/22

29: MALEKA KHATUN
W/O- AKKAS ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

30: RAFIKUL ISLAM.
 S/O- AKKACH ALI.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

31: AMED ALI.
 S/O- ABDUL KHALEK.
VILL- LONGJUP N.C BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

32: FAKRUL ISLAM.
 S/O- ABDUL MANNAF.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

33: JAHUR UDDIN.
 S/O- APTAR UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

34: ABDUS SATTAR
 S/O- EALIM UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

35: ABDUL SUBHAN @ CHUBAHAN
 S/O- ABDUL GAFUR.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

36: ISMAIL HUSSAIN.
 S/O- ATAUR RAHMAN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.
                                                       Page No.# 6/22


37: AJGHAR ALI
 S/O- AKKAS ALI.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

38: GULJAR HUSSAIN
 S/O- ABDUL MAJID.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

39: AMAN ALI.
 S/O- JAMAL UDDIN.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

40: MUSHARAF HUSSAIN
 S/O-ABDUL MAJID.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

41: MUJAMIL HUSSEN
 S/O- ABDUL MAJID.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

42: RASHIDUL @ ROSHIDUL ISLAM.
 S/O- ALIM UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

43: ABDUL SALAM
 S/O- ABDUL KADIR.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

44: SADDAM HUSSAIN
 S/O- ABDUL MOJID.
VILL- JURIPAR
                                                       Page No.# 7/22

KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

45: ABDUL BARIK.
 S/O- AMSAR ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

46: ABDUR RAHIM.
 S/O- ABDUL JABBAR.
VILL- LONGJUP JARANI BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

47: HALIM UDDIN
 S/O- NUR UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

48: DILDAR HUSSAIN
 S/O- INTAZ ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI. DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

49: RUSTAM ALI
 S/O- SAMED ALI.
VILL- RANGALU BASTI
 KACHUA
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

50: MAJIBUR RAHMAN
 S/O- ABDUL SALAM.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

51: MANOWARA KHATUN
W/O- WASIM UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

52: FIROJA KHATUN.
                                                       Page No.# 8/22

C/O- NIJAM UDDIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
BARPANI
KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

53: AHU BAKKAR SIDDIQE
 S/O- ABDUL BARIK.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

54: CHAFIKUL @ CHAPIKUL ISLAM
 S/O- NIJAM UDD @ UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

55: SADIKUL ISLAM.
 S/O- NIJAM UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

56: NASAR UDDIN.
 S/O- ABDUL MATALIB.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

57: HABIBUR RAHMAN
 S/O- CHORAT ALI.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

58: RUCHATUM ALI.
 S/O- AYOB ALI.
VILL- JURIPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

59: ATAUR RAHMAN
 S/O- AMSAR ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV).
                                                       Page No.# 9/22

DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

60: ABDUL KADIR.
 S/O- EALIM UDDIN SHEKH.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

61: ASHAD ULLA.
 S/O- SURUJ ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

62: RAMJAN ALI
 S/O- JAMAL UDDIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

63: LOKMAN ALI.
 S/O- JAMAL UDDIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

64: ABDUL SALAM.
 S/O- RAJAB ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

65: HABIBUR RAHMAN
 S/O- ABDUL SALAM.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

66: MAHIBUR RAHMAN
 S/O- ABDUL KARIM.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

67: ANUWAR HUSSAIN
                                                       Page No.# 10/22

S/O- ABDUL MAJID.
VILL- LONGJUP N.C BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

68: ABDUL HOQUE
 S/O- SER ALI.
VILL- TUK-TUKI.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

69: ABDUL SWAHID
 S/O- ABDUL BAREK.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

70: SAHAR ALI.
 S/O- KUSUM UDDIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

71: SUR MAHAMMAD
 S/O- ABDUL HAMID.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

72: GULJAR HUSSAIN
 S/O- NAJIM UDDIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

73: SAIDUL ISLAM
 S/O- IJJAT ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV).
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

74: NIJAM UDDIN
 S/O- MIRAJ ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.
                                                       Page No.# 11/22


75: ABDUL MALEK
 S/O- LATE BECHO MIYAN.
VILL- DAPARA
 DUMAIHAGI.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

76: NUR NAHAR
W/O- SAFIQUL ISLAM.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

77: JAKIR HUSSEN
 S/O- AWAL HUSSEN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

78: SIDDIQUE ALI.
 S/O- ABBAS ALI.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

79: RAMIJ UDDIN
 S/O- MIRAJ ALI.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

80: FAIJUL ISLAM
 S/O- NURUL AMIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

81: RAHMAT ALI
 S/O-ACHUMADDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

82: SAKIRA SULTANA
 S/O- AJIM ALI.
                                                       Page No.# 12/22

VILL- JURIRPAR
KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

83: NUR ISLAM.
 S/O- NURUL AMIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

84: AHABBUL ISLAM.
 S/O- NURUL AMIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

85: RUBBUL AMIN
 S/O- NURUL AMIN.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

86: AIJUL ISLAM
 S/O- NURUL AMIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV).
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

87: RAMJAN ALI
 S/O- ABBAS ALI.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

88: ZAKIR HUSSAIN
 S/O- SUR MAHAMMAD.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

89: MANIR UDDIN
 S/O- AHAMMAD ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
                                                       Page No.# 13/22

DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

90: RAMJAN ALI.
 S/O- MIRAJ ALI.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

91: HASSEN ALI
 S/O- MANNAS ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

92: SAIDUL ISLAM
 S/O- ABDUL MATALIB.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

93: NURUL ISLAM
 S/O- YAKUB ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

94: SOHIDUL ISLAM
 S/O- HASSEN ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

95: RAFIKUL ISLAM.
 S/O- AKKACH ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

96: HAJARAT ALI
 S/O- SANGHSHER ALI.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KACHUA.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.
                                                       Page No.# 14/22

97: DILDAR HUSSAIN
 S/O- MANIR UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

98: IBRAHIM ALI
 S/O- KITAB ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

99: ANUWAR HUSSAIN
 S/O- IBRAHIM ALI.
VILL- DAPARA
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

100: INTAJ ALI
 S/O- LATE INNAS ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

101: SHAHAB UDDIN
 S/O- ALAL UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

102: KITAB ALI.
 S/O- NAJUM UDDIN SHEIKH.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

103: JAKIR HUSSAIN
 S/O- KITAB ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

104: MOKTAR HUSSAIN
 S/O- KITAB ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.
                                                       Page No.# 15/22


105: ABDUL KHALEK.
 S/O- KASUM ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

106: MAHAMMAD MASTAFA
 S/O- KITAB ALI.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

107: JAHIRUL ISLAM
 S/O- ABDUL KADIR.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 BARPANI BAGAN
 BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

108: JUBEDA KHATUN
 C/O- NIJAM UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV).
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

109: JIYARUL ISLAM
 S/O- ABDUL KADIR.
VILL- JURIRPAR
 KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

110: SAHAJ UDDIN
 S/O- ABDUL MANNAF.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV).
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

111: ABDUL BASHAR
 S/O- ABDUL SALAM.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

112: NAZRUL ISLAM
 S/O- JAKIR HUSSAIN.
                                                       Page No.# 16/22

VILL- JURIPAR
KAMPUR.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

113: SAHAJ UDDIN
 S/O- ABDUL MANNAF.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV).
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM.

114: DILDAR HUSSAIN
 S/O- MANIR UDDIN.
VILL- LONGJUP PADUMONI (HATIPARA FV) BAITHALANGSHO.
DIST- NAGAON
ASSAM

VERSUS

UNION OF INDIA AND 9 ORS.
REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIROMENT FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE INDIRA PARYAVARAN BHAWAN, JORBAGH ROAD,
NEW DELHI, INDIA

2:THE STATE OF ASSAM
TO BE REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT
OF ASSAM
 JANATA BHAWAN (ASSAM SECRETARIAT COMPLEX)
 DISPUR
 GUWAHATI- 781006

3:SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM
 ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT
 JANATA BHAWAN (ASSAM SECRETARIAT COMPLEX)
 DISPUR
 GUWAHATI- 781006

4:COMMISSIONER AND SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM
 REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
 JANATA BHAWAN (ASSAM SECRETARIAT COMPLEX)
 DISPUR
 GUWAHATI- 781006

5:PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF FOREST
FORCE AND WILDLIFE

O/O THE PCCF AND HOFF
ASSAM
                                                                                     Page No.# 17/22

             ARANYA BHAWAN
             PANJABARI
             GUWAHATI- 781037.

             6:DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER
              NAGAON DIVISION
              NAGAON
             ASSAM

             7:DISTRICT COMMISSIONER
              NAGAON
             ASSAM

             8:SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
              NAGAON
             ASSAM

             9:CIRCLE OFFICER
              KAMPUR REVENUE CIRCLE
              NAGAON
             ASSAM

             10:OFFICER-IN-CHARGE

             KACHUA POLICE STATION
             NAGAON
             ASSAM

Advocate for the Petitioner    : MR. A R BHUYAN, S LASKAR,MR N A MAZARBHUIYA,MR N
Z CHOUDHURY

Advocate for the Respondent : SC, FOREST, GA, ASSAM,DY.S.G.I.,SC, REVENUE




                                     BEFORE
                    HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MANISH CHOUDHURY

                                             ORDER

17.11.2025

Heard Mr. A.R. Bhuyan, learned counsel for the petitioners; Mr. P.N. Goswami, learned Additional Advocate General, Assam assisted by Mr. I. Kalita, learned counsel for the respondent nos. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10; and Ms. P.R. Mahanta, learned Standing Counsel, Revenue Department for the respondent no. 4.

Page No.# 18/22

2. The petitioners, 114 [one hundred-fourteen] in nos., have joined together to institute the present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to assail a notice issued to them on 08.10.2025, annexed as Annexure-9 to the writ petition, by the Divisional Forest Officer, Nagaon Division, Nagaon [the respondent no. 6] in respect of areas of Lutumai Reserved Forest.

3. The common case of the petitioners, in brief, is that they have been residing in areas falling within Villages - Longjup Padumoni and Lngjup Padumoni [Hatipara Forest Village] within the district of Nagaon since last about 7-8 decades. The petitioners have stated that they have all the relevant documents pertaining to the parcels of land on which they are staying since long. The petitioners have stated that they have been served with the similar notices, all dated 08.10.2025, by the respondent no.

6. In the notice, it is mentioned that the petitioners are in unauthorised occupation of lands falling within the notified boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest. The notice has mentioned that while in unauthorised occupation of such reserved forest lands, the petitioners/noticees have constructed houses, planted commercial vegetation, dug ponds, cut trees and plants, etc. inside the reserved forest areas and made conversion of forest lands for agricultural purposes. The notice has further mentioned that such activities are prohibited and illegal as per the provisions of Section 24 and Section 25 of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, as amended. By the notice, the petitioners/noticees have been asked to submit their claims/representations along with the supporting documents, if any, in justification of their occupation of the parcels of land inside the notified boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest.

4. The petitioners have claimed that they, by no means, can be termed as illegal encroachers of forest lands as they have been living in the areas for the past 7-8 decades after constructing their dwelling houses, obtaining electricity connection, securing voting rights, etc. In support of their such claim, they have annexed voter lists where they their names are enrolled. It has been projected that if they are evicted pursuant to the impugned notice dated 08.10.2025, they would be rendered homeless in the absence of any alternative provision made by the respondent authorities for their rehabilitation. The petitioners have further submitted that by a Notification dated 15.10.2024, the Panchayat & Rural Development Department, Government of Assam notified Village - Lonjup Padumoni [Hatipara Forest Village] as a village falling within territorial jurisdiction of Jugijan Anhcalik Panchayat and Barpani Gaon Panchayat.

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5. Mr. Goswami, learned Additional Advocate General, Assam has submitted, that Lutumai Reserved Forest was declared as a reserved forest vide Gazette Notification no. 2863R dated 17.08.1928 in exercise of powers conferred by Section 17 of the Assam Forest Regulation. The Gazette Notification had notified the boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest specifically. Mr. Goswami has further submitted, referring to the stand taken in the affidavit-in-opposition, that there is no forest village notified within Lutumai Reserve Forest at any point of time.

6. While it is contended on behalf of the petitioners that the notice is bereft of the descriptions of the lands, a submission is also made on behalf of the respondents that the petitioners also have not disclosed about the exact areas of lands of which they are in occupation and the description of those parcels of land.

7. Mr. Goswami, learned Additional Advocate General has submitted that if any petitioner/noticee produces any valid land documents like periodic patta, decree, sale deed, etc. in justification of the parcel of land under his/her possession, the claim of such petitioner/noticee will be given due consideration and if the parcel of land of such petitioner/noticee is found to be located beyond the boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest, the eviction exercise is not going to be carried in such situation against such petitioner/notice by the Forest Department. He has submitted that prior to issuance of the Notice on 08.10.2025, a joint survey was undertaken. The Notice dated 08.10.2025 has been issued to those persons who are found encroaching lands inside the boundaries of the said reserved forest.

8. Mr. Goswami has further placed copies of the Orders passed by the Division Bench of this Court in PIL [Suo Moto] no. 1/2022, Writ Appeal no. 251/2025 and Writ Appeal no. 252/2025 and PIL no. 39/2025 to buttress his submission that the procedure contemplated by the Notice dated 08.10.2025 is in conformity with the directions made by the Division Bench in those cases.

9. Under the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, the State Government in exercise of the powers under Section 4 can constitute any land under disposal of the Government as a reserved forest in the manner thereafter provided. As per Section 5, whenever it is proposed to constitute any land a reserved forest, the State Government shall publish a notification in the Official Gazette inter aliaspecifying as nearly as possible the situation and limits of such land and declaring that it is proposed to constitute such land Page No.# 20/22

a reserved forest. Section 7 of the Assam Forest Regulation has provided for a bar of accrual of forest rights after proclamation by the Forest Settlement Officer. Finally after completion of enquiry, a Notification under Section 17 of the Assam Forest Regulation is published constituting the land as reserved forest. A Notification under Section 17 is made after consideration of all claims by the Forest Settlement Officer. Once a notification under Section 17 is published in the Official Gazette specifying the limits of the forest which it is intending to reserve and declaring the same to be reserved from a date of such notification, the rights in respect of which no claim has been preferred under Section 6 stands extinguished as per the provisions of Section 18 of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891. After declaration of reserved forest, the acts delineated in Section 24 and Section 25 of the Assam Forest Regulation are prohibited.

10. The appellants in Writ Appeal no. 251/2025 and Writ Appeal no. 252/2025 challenged a notice dated 24.07.2025 issued to them whereby they were asked to vacate the forest land within seven days. The appellants took a stand that they were residing in the houses constructed since long. While disposing of the writ appeals by the Order dated 18.08.2025, the Division Bench has observed that henceforth if any eviction drive is undertaken for clearing the reserved forest area of all encroachments and if it is found that there are some settlers, even though unauthorised, they have to be given a reasonable period of time of 15 days, to explain under what circumstances they have set up their residence inside the reserved forest area where any non-forest activity or their presence attracts penal offence, and further period of 15 days for exiting the place on being asked to do so. The Division Bench has further observed that notwithstanding the fact that no procedure has been delineated, it would be only in the interest of justice that a notice of 15 days and a further time of 15 days be given to such squatters/encroachers to leave the reserved forest area.

11. Mr. Bhuyan, learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted against the Judgment rendered in W.A. no. 251/2025 and W.A. no. 252/2025, Special Leave to Appeal [C] no. 23647-23648/25 has been preferred before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and by an Order dated 22.08.2025, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has directed the parties to maintain status quo. He has further submitted that the Special leave to Appeal petition is likely to be listed soon. In such view of the matter, the respondent authorities shall await the outcome given therein.

12. On the other hand, Mr. Goswami has submitted that subsequent to 22.08.2025, PIL no. 39/2025 Page No.# 21/22

has been disposed of by a Division Bench of this Court on 10.09.2025 wherein the direction passed in the Order dated 18.08.2025 in Writ Appeal no. 251/2025 and Writ Appeal no. 252/2025 has been followed. The notice impugned herein, that is, Notice dated 08.10.2025 is, in essence, show cause notice whereby an opportunity has been provided to the noticees to respond to the said notice and to show cause as to why the eviction exercise contemplated therein should not be undertaken against them. The noticees have definitely the opportunity to show cause with the supporting documents that the parcels of land which are under their occupation do not come within the boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest. If the noticees are able to show that the parcels of land under their occupation are outside the notified boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest, then the respondent authorities would not have any cause of action to evict them.

13. Mr. Bhuyan has submitted that in response to the Notice dated 08.10.2025, all the noticees/petitioners have not submitted their representations within the stipulated period of 15 days. Therefore, an opportunity should be granted to those noticees/petitioners who have not yet submitted their representations in response to the notice by extending the time period.

14. Mr. Goswami, learned Additional Advocate General has fairly submitted that the remaining petitioners/noticees can be allowed to submit their representations within a period of 10 days from today, that is, up to 27.11.2025 before the respondent no. 6.

15. Having considered the submissions of Mr. Bhuyan and taking note of the submissions of Mr. Goswami, this Court is of the view that the remaining noticees/petitioners who have not yet filed their representations, shall be allowed to file their representations on or before 27.11.2025. It is ordered accordingly.

16. It is observed that if any representation is received from any of the noticees/petitioners by the respondent no. 6, they shall examine such representations and the supporting documents submitted in justification of the parcels of land he/she is in occupation and shall pass a speaking order thereafter. In the meantime, the respondent District Forest Authorities shall carry out a joint verification exercise with the District Revenue Authorities in respect of the parcels of land the petitioners herein have claimed to be in occupation and the joint verification report is to be prepared so that the claims of the noticees/petitioners can be considered by taking into consideration the findings recorded in the said Page No.# 22/22

Joint Verification Report. The speaking orders to be passed on the representations shall thereafter be communicated to the petitioners/noticees forthwith thereafter. The respondent no. 6 shall examine whether the parcels of land under the occupation of the noticees/petitioners fall outside or inside the boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest declared by Notification under Section 7 of the Assam Forest Regulation.

17. It is further observed that if any parcel of land under the occupation of any noticees/petitioners is found to be outside the boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest, no eviction exercise, as contemplated in the Notice dated 08.10.2025, shall be undertaken by the respondent authorities in the Forest Department in respect of such parcel of the land. It is further observed that if the parcels of land under the occupation of the noticees/petitioners are found inside the boundaries of Lutumai Reserved Forest, then the respondent authorities shall carry out the exercise to clear the Lutumai Reserved Forest areas in accordance with law and as per due procedure.

18. With the observations made and directions given above, the writ petition is disposed of. No cost.

JUDGE

Comparing Assistant