Nainital, Mar 23 (PTI) Quashing an order issued by the State Scheduled Castes Commission regarding eviction from land, the Uttarakhand High Court observed that while the Commission possesses the power to make recommendations, it lacks the authority to pass binding orders.
A single-judge bench comprising Justice Pankaj Purohit delivered this verdict while hearing a petition filed by Rajendra Prasad Kabatiyal.
The petition challenged an order issued by the Uttarakhand Scheduled Castes Commission in May 2024, in which it had directed state officials to evict the petitioner from a specific plot of land.
Representing the Commission, counsel submitted that evidence had been gathered regarding the petitioner’s alleged unauthorised occupation of the land, and the directive was issued on the basis of that evidence.
However, the Commission also conceded that it is empowered only to recommend action and does not possess the authority to directly order an eviction.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court held that the Commission had exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing such an order.
The High Court stated that the Uttarakhand Scheduled Castes Commission is merely a recommendatory body and does not have the authority to issue directives such as eviction from land.
The Court, however, granted both parties the liberty to avail themselves of alternative remedies available under the law. PTI DPT AMJ AMJ
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