HC orders spot inspection of 813-kanal land for new High Court complex over encroachment claim

22/09/2026

Jammu, Sep 21: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has directed a physical inspection of 813 kanals and 13 marlas of land handed over for the proposed New High Court Complex at Raika, Jammu, following a claim that a portion of the land may have been encroached upon.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Rajnesh Oswal and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, hearing a PIL filed by ArjunGandotra, directed the Registrar Judicial, Jammu Wing, to personally visit the site along with the concerned Deputy Commissioner and ascertain the factual position.
Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi, assisted by Advocate Navyug Sethi, submitted that although possession of 813 kanals and 13 marlas of land had been handed over to the High Court, information received by the petitioner suggested that some portion of the land might have been encroached upon. Taking note of the submission, the Division Bench directed the Registrar Judicial to conduct a spot inspection and submit a status report specifically indicating whether any portion of the land handed over to the High Court had been encroached upon.
The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, has been directed to extend all necessary assistance to the Registrar Judicial to facilitate the inspection and ensure that the report is placed before the Court by the next date of hearing.
The land has been earmarked for the proposed New High Court Complex at Raika, a major judicial infrastructure project whose estimated cost has earlier been put at around Rs. 922 crore.
The PIL concerning the proposed complex had earlier come before the High Court regarding the progress of the project. The matter was subsequently revived, bringing the status of the project and steps taken by the authorities under judicial scrutiny. In its order dated September 18, 2026, the Bench also took note of a status report filed on behalf of respondent No. 8.
The Court observed that there was "hardly any justification" for granting further time to respondent Nos. 1 to 7 to file their response. However, in the interest of justice, the Bench granted one final opportunity, making it clear that appropriate orders would follow in case of failure to file the response.
Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, Advocate Sagira Jaffar, Deputy Solicitor General of India Vishal Sharma, Advocate Karan Sharma and Advocate Monika Thakur appeared for the respondents.
The matter has been listed for October 16, 2026, when the Court is expected to consider the responses and the status report regarding physical verification of the land earmarked for the proposed New High Court Complex.

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