Gauhati High Court: forest eviction must follow Supreme Court's Abdul Khalek directions

6 October 2026

Justice Devashis Baruah of the Gauhati High Court held, in a ruling reported on 21 September 2026, that the Forest Department must follow the Supreme Court's directions in Abdul Khalek when acting against forest occupants.
The case is Yunus Ali & 14 Ors. v. State of Assam & 8 Ors. (WP(C)/4258/2025).
The court held that notices issued in July 2025 over occupation of South Nambar Reserved Forest had become redundant in view of the Abdul Khalek directions.
In June 2026 a division bench of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury upheld the eviction of Taungya settlers from reserved forests, with a 45-day extension.