SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to coordinate a fresh exercise for the removal of encroachments from Shah Koul, also known as Gupt Ganga, a canal-feeding channel linked to Dal Lake.
The directions were issued by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajnesh Oswal while hearing a public interest litigation seeking restoration and revamping of Shah Koul.
The court observed that it had been monitoring the matter through a series of earlier orders aimed at clearing encroachments and restoring the water channel. It noted submissions by the petitioner that, despite demarcation of encroachments, effective removal action had not been carried out.
The bench also took note of a compliance report filed by the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (J&K LCMA) pursuant to an earlier order dated July 22, 2026, detailing measures proposed for the restoration of Shah Koul.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for certain private respondents submitted that they claimed rights over portions of the land in question and sought an opportunity to present their claims before any eviction action was taken.
Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin Qadri, appearing for the government, submitted that the authorities were committed to restoring Shah Koul and removing encroachments in compliance with the court’s directions.
However, the bench observed that despite previous orders and compliance reports, the encroachments had not been removed. The court noted that while demarcation had been completed and some steps initiated, the removal process had not progressed as required.
The court directed the Divisional Commissioner to coordinate with the J&K LCMA and other concerned departments to undertake the removal of encroachments from the area.
It further directed the Divisional Commissioner, through the appropriate revenue authority, to examine claims relating to property rights. Persons aggrieved by the proposed removal drive, including the private respondents, have been permitted to submit their claims before the competent authority.
The court directed the authorities to consider such claims within seven days of the order and thereafter proceed with the removal of encroachments in accordance with law and take steps for restoration of Shah Koul.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 13, 2026.
