Supreme Court Advocates Unified Stand in Mizoram Department Feud

The Supreme Court has urged the Mizoram government to adopt a unified stance in legal matters by involving all relevant departments. This follows inter-departmental disputes between its forest and revenue departments over a 1965 notification. The top court has requested the high court to expedite the appeal process to avoid delaying crucial development projects.

The Supreme Court has urged the Mizoram government to present a consolidated position in court cases by consulting all relevant departments. This appeal came from a bench headed by Justice BR Gavai, noting ongoing disputes between the state's forest and revenue departments regarding a 1965 notification.

The bench highlighted a January 2021 ruling by a single judge of the Gauhati High Court's Aizawl bench, which invalidated a 1965 notification declaring certain river-adjacent forests as Council Reserved Forests. Despite the state of Mizoram appealing this judgment, they sought to withdraw and potentially refile the appeal in November 2022.

Emphasizing the far-reaching implications of the single judge's decision on highways construction and citizen rights, the Supreme Court restored the appeal and called for expeditious resolution within three months. The court also advised Mizoram's chief secretary to mediate the forest and revenue departments' disputes to prevent project delays.

(With inputs from agencies.)