Encroachment Clearance in Agasthyamalai Landscape

The Delhi government illegally cleared the Ridge forest area to construct a 10-kilometre-long road, violating a previous Supreme Court order that had rejected the government's request to fell or translocate 1,051 trees. The Supreme Court issued contempt proceedings against the Vice Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority and other authorities for this environmental violation.

The Supreme Court indicated that occupants of encroached railway land in Haldwani do not have a legal right to remain on the property, noting that over 5,000 families will need to vacate for a proposed expansion project.

The Supreme Court delivered a verdict against ex post facto environmental clearances, emphasizing that prior environmental approval must be obtained before project commencement and that public interest considerations must be prioritized in future projects. The Court recognized narrow constitutional exceptions for national defence, urgent healthcare facilities, and remote area connectivity.