The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to remove encroachment on public land in the state within 90 days. The court also said that departmental and criminal action should be taken against the officers who failed to act as per the law.

Justice Praveen Kumar Giri issued this order while hearing a public interest litigation. The court stated that if encroachment is found on a public road listed in revenue records, action should be taken against the concerned Lekhpal for hiding this fact in his report.

The process should be completed in 90 days. The court directed all the District Magistrates and SDMs to initiate departmental action against those who do not inform the concerned Tehsildar or Tehsildar Judicial regarding any encroachment within 60 days from the date of this order. The Court has also empowered residents of the state to initiate civil contempt proceedings against village heads and Lekhpals who are indifferent to removing encroachments on public land. These proceedings can be filed in the Allahabad High Court.