MP High Court Issues Notice On PIL Against Alleged Illegal Encroachment & Mining By 'Anti-Social Elements' At Lake In Jabalpur
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday (July 10), issued notice to the State on PIL seeking directions to remove alleged encroachment and halt mining at Jabalpur's Budhan Sagar Lake, which is stated to be one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in the city. After hearing the matter a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf in its order...
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday (July 10), issued notice to the State on PIL seeking directions to remove alleged encroachment and halt mining at Jabalpur's Budhan Sagar Lake, which is stated to be one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in the city.
After hearing the matter a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf in its order said:
"Issue notice. Notice is accepted by learned counsel appearing for respondents, who prays for time to take instructions. At request, re-notify on 04.08.2025".
During the hearing the petitioner's counsel said that the lake is on the verge of extinction and has been encroached. He sought that an inquiry be conducted.
According to the petition, Budhan Sagar Lake spans nearly 500 acres and is vital in maintaining biodiversity and supporting the local agrigarian communities. It was alleged that 25% percent of the lake has been encroached by "anti-social elements". The plea claims that anti-social elements are polluting the lake. It claims that the encroachment over the lake has affected the local area, has caused a nuisance affecting the bio-diverisity and causing difficulty to the residents of nearby village.
It was stated that several representation have been made to the authorities regarding the illegal activities in the lake but no effective action had been taken.The plea also referred to a newspaper report of June 13, which had published a news regarding illegal encroachment over the lake yet no action was allegedly taken by the authorities.
The petition further pointed out that the lake falls within a designated green belt area earmarked for environmental preservation. As such, the alleged encroachment and minining activities were in direct violation of the objectives of the grren belt plan.
The petitioner in the PIL has urged the court to issue directions for immediate removal of the alleged illegal encroachments as well as for fixing permanent boundary markers to prevent further encroachment. It also sought directions for initiating efforts towards claening and beautification of the lake. The plea prays for respondents to stop illegal mining in the carcgment areas of the lake so that water level increases.
For Petitioner: Advocate Rajmani Mishra
For Respondent: Additional Advocate General Harpreet Singh Ruprah
Case Title: Rajjan Burman v State of Madhya Pradesh (WP-25456-2025)