Disposed

Jeetu Chaudhary vs

NGT9 Jul 2025Original Application No. 286/2025

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The National Green Tribunal constituted a joint committee of the PCCF, MoEF&CC, and District Magistrate to inquire into alleged illegal commercial use of forest land in Uttarakhand leased to saints. The committee is directed to ascertain the status of the leases and submit a report within four months.

What did the court decide?

Constitution of a joint committee comprising PCCF, MOEF&CC, and DM to investigate alleged illegal encroachment/exploitation of forest land.

Jeetu Chaudhary vs — Environment and Pollution | NGT (2025)

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Item No. 02

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Court No. 1

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BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

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Original Application No. 286/2025

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Jeetu Chaudhary Applicant

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Versus

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State of Uttarakhand & Ors. Respondent(s)

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Date of hearing: 09.07.2025

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CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON HON’BLE DR. A. SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER

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Applicant Mr. Jeetu Chaudhary, Applicant in Person (Through VC)

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ORDER

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This original application (OA) has been registered on the basis of the letter petition dated 12.02.2025 sent by complainant Jeetu Chaudhary.

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Complaint of the applicant is that lease to following nine (09) persons were granted in respect of forest land:

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मौनी स्वामी एंड जनार्दनाचार्द (श्री सत्र्नारार्ण मंदर्र)

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श्री साधु गोपाल र्ास (गोपाल कुटी)

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श्री स्वामी जानकी जीवन र्ास (जानकी जीवन ट्रस्ट ओशो गंगा धाम)

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जानकी र्ास कलपांति (कलपांति कुदटर्ा)

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स्वामी हरर र्ास (गोववंर् गोपाल कुटी भैरंट बाबा)

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श्री र्ोगगराज (र्ोगगराज कुदटर्ा)

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श्री स्वामी चेलन र्ास

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श्री र्ामोर्र र्ास

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श्री स्वामी त्र्ागी लक्ष्मण र्ास (श्री राम िपस्थल आश्रम).

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Aforesaid leases were in Narendra Nagar Forest Division, Muni ki

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Reti, Brahmapuri Shiv Puri, Range Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

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Applicant submits that land was given by forest department to the saints and Mahatmas for prayers and sadhana and those leases have expired but currently hotels, dharamshalas and other commercial activities are being run on the lease area in connivance with the forest department.

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Applicant also alleges that these leases have not been renewed and illegal activities are running for a long time without any consent and valid documents.

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OA raise substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms and use of forest land for non-forest purpose.

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Truthfulness of the allegation which the applicant has made needs to be ascertained and if the allegation is correct necessary action is to be taken by authorities. Therefore, we form a joint committee comprising of representatives of (i) Principal Chief Conservator of Forest(PCCF), Uttarakhand, (ii) RO, MoEF&CC, Chandigarh, (iii) District Magistrate, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

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The District Magistrate, Tehri Garhwal will act as a nodal agency in the joint committee.

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Joint committee will visit the site, examine the revenue and other record and will also examine the leases which have been issued in favour of the above nine persons and ascertain if the lease was issued in respect of the forest land by following due procedure in accordance with law and if after expiry of the said lease, forest land is being utilized for non-forest or any other purpose in an illegal manner. On the basis of the report of the joint committee, concerned members will ensure appropriate remedial and punitive action after duly following the Principles of Natural Justice. This exercise will be completed by the joint committee within a period of

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four months and action taken report will be submitted before Registrar General of the Tribunal by email at the email address [email protected]. If it is found necessary, matter may be listed for consideration before the Bench.

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A copy of this order be forwarded to members of the joint committee by email for compliance.

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OA is accordingly disposed of.

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Prakash Shrivastava, CP

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Dr. A. Senthil Vel, EM

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July 09, 2025 Original Application No. 286/2025 JG.

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Jeetu Chaudhary vs

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Jeetu Chaudhary vs

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

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