Srinagar, Jan 30, KNT: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has stayed the proposed takeover of private land in Ajas village of Bandipora district for construction of a road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, directing the authorities not to proceed without following due legal process.
The interim relief was granted after nine residents of Ajas village approached the court, seeking protection of their land. The petitioners contended that PMGSY authorities were planning to construct the Ajas Charawan road, sanctioned under PMGSY Phase IV, through their private property without lawful acquisition.
The petitioners submitted before the court that despite submitting a formal complaint to the Chief Engineer PMGSY in Srinagar, the department continued with project related preparations while claiming that an amicable solution was being pursued.
After hearing the matter, Justice Rahul Bharti observed that the petitioners had established a prima facie case. The court passed an interim order restraining the authorities from appropriating land falling under various survey numbers for the proposed road project until further orders.
The court has issued notices to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and other respondents and listed the matter for further hearing on March 3, 2026.
The petitioners were represented by Advocate Shuja-ul-Haq. [KNT]
