Journalists Are 'Eyes & Ears Of Public', Can Inform Collector About Encroachments: Rajasthan High Court
In furtherance of hearing the batch of petitions concerning the protection of rivers, lakes and water bodies, Rajasthan High Court observed that media and journalists are also eyes and ears of public, and had a role to play to ensure that there were no encroachments. Hence, whenever they found such encroachments, they can inform the Collector, Jaipur.The division bench of Acting Chief...
In furtherance of hearing the batch of petitions concerning the protection of rivers, lakes and water bodies, Rajasthan High Court observed that media and journalists are also eyes and ears of public, and had a role to play to ensure that there were no encroachments. Hence, whenever they found such encroachments, they can inform the Collector, Jaipur.
The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Chandra Shekhar Sharma took note of the affidavit filed by the District Collector, detailing the list of encroachments in the catchment area of the rivers and small drains that fell in the flow of water towards the Ramgarh Dam.
It was observed that there were huge number of encroachments, particularly in 5 tehsils, namely, Andhi, Jamwa Ramgarh, Amer, Shahpura, and Viratnagar, that had to be removed. The Court stated that these persons were ranked trespassers on the government land.
The Court highlighted that since the encroachers were huge in number, it shall take a long time to send individual notices. Hence, to fulfil the statutory requirement of notifying and giving 15 days' time to the encroachers, the Court directed the list being published in the 2 newspapers – Dainik Bhaskar and Rajasthan Patrika, that had the widest publication in the state.
“It would avoid the excuse of not having been given an opportunity of being heard and of not being informed about the proceedings which have been directed to be taken against them…It is made clear that if in spite of the notice as published in the newspapers, the encroachments are not removed, the State and its functionaries shall immediately take steps for removing the encroachments and all expenditure which the State and its functionaries will incur in removing the encroachment, shall have to be borne by such encroachers.”
The Court further held that if there were rampant encroachment or any opposition, the State shall be free to take appropriate police help or register criminal cases.
It was further observed that if any information was received by the Collector, relating to encroachment, he shall take steps to verify the information and take appropriate steps.
Further, “The media and the journalists are also considered as eyes and ears of the public. They too have a role to play to see that encroachments are not made. Wherever they find such encroachments, they can also inform the Collector, Jaipur in this regard”.
The matters shall be next heard on September 15, 2026.
Title: Suo Motu v State of Rajasthan, and other connected petitions