In big relief to Haldwani residents, Supreme Court stays HC's eviction order

New Delhi: Supreme Court, on Thursday (January 4), stayed the Uttarakhand High Court's order to remove encroachments from railway land in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura area which housed thousands of people. The apex court also issued notices to the Railways and the state government in response to a group of petitions challenging a High Court order to remove encroachments on railway land. The Railways claim that there are 4,365 people encroaching on the land. A panel of Justices S K Kaul and A S Oka stated that the situation is a "human issue" and needs a workable solution.

The Supreme Court has scheduled further hearing on the matter for February 7.

Also Read: Haldwani protest: SC to hear plea against demolition of encroachments on Railway land today

The High Court ordered the demolition of structures on the encroached railway land in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani on December 20, stating that a notice must be given to the encroachers before the encroachments are demolished.

The residents, who have submitted a petition claiming that the High Court's order is flawed as the proceedings regarding their ownership of the land are still pending before the district magistrate, have constructed religious places, schools, businesses, and homes on the 29 acres of alleged encroached railway land in Banbhoolpura.

(With agency inputs)