T N GODAVARMAN THIRUMULKPAD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) On 29/7/1998, we had appointed Mr. R. M. N. Sahai, Conservator of forests, as the Commissioner of the court and directed him to immediately go to Thatkola Reserve Forest and submit a report about the present state of c affairs in that forest. Learned counsel for the State of Karnataka had assured the court that the State would offer all possible assistance to Mr. Sahai to undertake the task assigned by the court to enable him to file the status report. The report has now been filed by Mr. Sahai and subsequently he has also filed a supplementary affidavit to update the main report. Copy of the same has been furnished to learned amicus. The matter shall come up for further direction on the next date for considering the report.

(2.) Our attention has been drawn to a news item under the caption "demarcation of Thatkola forest land stopped, says Minister" which appeared in Deccan Herald of 12/1/1999. A perusal of the news item shows that ongoing demarcation of the Thatkola forest land, which was being carried out by the Forest and the Survey of India Departments, has been stopped under orders of a Minister of the State of Karnataka. Issue a notice to the State of Karnataka to file its response to the allegations contained in the news item, copy of which shall be sent along with the notice to the State. The State may also file their comments to the report of Mr. Sahai in the meanwhile.

(3.) A copy of the news item shall also be served along with the notice on the Standing Counsel for the State of Karnataka.