SNGP director flags challenges in removing encroachments
This is in response to the court's January orders in a contempt petition filed in 2023 by the Conservation Action Trust and its executive trustee, Debi Goenka, in the Bombay High Court, alleging non-compliance to its 2003 judgment directing removal of encroachments, rehabilitation of eligible encroachers, and construction of a boundary around the park.
The affidavit states that the inspected sites either lacked electricity, water supply, sewage and drainage facilities or fell under no development zones (NDZ) and Green Zones. Additionally, in May 2025, they were to identify eligible families for rehabilitation. However, due to non-cooperation by encroachers over unwarranted apprehensions, this could not take place. The survey period was then extended till the end of July 2025.
Another affidavit submitted on March 5, set a May 31 deadline to demolish commercial-use encroachment on the forest land. These were located among residential-use encroachment areas in tightly-packed hutment colonies, making it difficult to access for demolition. The July 11 affidavit states that these demolitions were initially planned for May 5 and 6. However, they were postponed because of the non-availability of police bandobast and then due to opposition from 2,000 to 2,500 people led by local political leaders. On May 26, a former corporator of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) allegedly gathered a hostile crowd and obstructed the demolition squad. 'There was a very real possibility of violence breaking out against the Forest Department officials and staff along with the police personnel; the demolition program was abandoned,' the affidavit said.
The affidavit also highlighted that the state issued 18 Government Resolutions and granted an administrative sanction of ₹221 crore for constructing boundary walls around the SGNP Division. Out of this, the forest department received ₹74.28 crore in the FY 2024-2025 and paid it over to the Public Works Department on March 31. On July 10, the executive engineer from PWD sent a letter to the SGNP administration stating that tenders for 17 works of boundary-wall construction. The technical and financial bids received for another 10 tenders were under scrutiny.
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Mass-casualty terrorism cannot go unpunished, nor can suspects be freed only to rejoin militant acquittals are a wake-up call for systemic reform across investigation, prosecution, and colonial-era criminal justice system, rooted in rigid procedures and outdated evidentiary norms, is ill-equipped for modern terrorism. Terrorists exploit encrypted tools and leave little evidence, yet the system still demands traditional proofs like eyewitnesses years protecting civil liberties remains vital, blind adherence to outdated norms must not compromise justice in high-risk national security Must IntrospectThe recent acquittal compels the judiciary to engage in serious self-reflection. How can two courts, examining the same evidence, arrive at such radically different outcomes—one imposing death sentences, the other granting complete acquittals? This stark divergence raises troubling concerns about the consistency, objectivity and internal coherence of our justice delivery system. 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The criminal justice system comprises of the police, prosecution, and judiciary. While courts often question the competence of investigators and prosecutors, they too must be held accountable, especially in high-stakes terror trials and sensitive criminal investigative agencies like the ATS and state intelligence wings, though rooted in colonial-era policing, have tried to keep pace with changing technology like electronic surveillance, cyber forensics, and multilingual intelligence, the judiciary must now catch up to ensure these technological advances result in effective convictions and timely like the UAPA, MCOCA, and CrPC are evolving to address encrypted data, foreign handlers, and proxy warfare. Yet, judicial delays, inconsistent rulings, and external influences continue to hinder must include specialized training not only for investigators but also for judges and prosecutors in national security law to help balance civil liberties with national interest. Simultaneously strengthening witness protection and forensic protocols is equally crucial. Eyewitnesses mostly succumb to threats even from big criminals, not to mention terrorists having support from our neighbouring country. While the investigative and legal frameworks are adapting, the judiciary must evolve in parallel to preserve coherence, credibility, and integrity in India's fight against isn't about overriding judicial independence, but aligning it with modern security needs. Justice cannot function in isolation, blind to its consequences. The 7/11 acquittals are more than a legal outcome; they test India's institutional the Supreme Court staying the High Court's order, it must now revisit the case not just in legal terms, but in the spirit of national accountability. 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