The Allahabad High Court issued a directive last week, instructing the district magistrates stationed in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) and Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh) to oversee the installation of pillars in their designated regions. This initiative aims to clearly delineate the boundaries between the two states, with the specified date for the completion of this task set for January 23rd.

The directive was issued by a division bench composed of Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Manjive Shukla as they resolved a writ petition filed by Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Bijnor district.

In his petition, the petitioner asserted that the authorities of the State of Uttarakhand were improperly interfering with his possession and cultivation of agricultural land. This interference stemmed from uncertainties and disputes surrounding the state boundaries between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

His particular argument was that the land he owns is entirely situated within the state boundary of Uttar Pradesh, and he does not possess any land within the jurisdiction of Uttarakhand. 

The petitioner requested the court to intervene by instructing the geographical department of the Survey of India to establish an expert committee. This committee, in conjunction with revenue officers from Bijnor and Haridwar districts, would be tasked with demarcating the boundaries between the two states.

Noting that the Standing Counsel for the State of UP and the Deputy Advocate General, for the State of Uttarakhand agreed that the issue may be resolved by the revenue authorities of the two States, the Court disposed of the writ plea by issuing the following directions:

• Heard learned counsel for petitioner, Sri S.C. Upadhyay, learned Standing Counsel for the State of U.P., Sri S.P. Singh, learned A.S.G.I. assisted by Sri Purnendu Kumar Singh, learned counsel appearing for the Union of India, and Sri Krishna Singh, Deputy Advocate General, for the State of Uttarakhand.
• In view of such facts, we find that no useful purpose would be served in involving the agencies of Union of India as the learned Standing Counsel for the State of U.P. and learned Deputy Advocate General, for the State of Uttarakhand are in agreement that the issue may be resolved by the revenue authorities of the two States.

Case Title: Gurpreet Singh vs. Union Of India And 6 Others