J&K High Court seeks fresh report on encroachments by religious institutions in Kashmir

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir to file a fresh affidavit detailing any encroachments made on public streets, public parks and other public places in the name of religious institutions [In Re Suo motu Proceedings V/s State of J&K].

A bench comprising acting Chief Justice and Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani passed the directions while hearing a suo motu case concerning encroachments.

The Court noted that the status report submitted by the Divisional Commissioner had listed encroachments on State, Kahcharai and Shamilat Deh land for construction of places of worship, including mosques, temples, chur and gurdwaras.

“In compliance with the order dated 8th July, 2026 read with order dated 4th November, 2025, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has filed the status report enlisting of the encroachments made on the State/Kahcharai/Shamilat Deh land etc. for raising the construction of places of worship by different religions in the Kashmir Division. There are mosques, temples, churches and gurdwaras constructed on the said land,” the High Court observed.

However, the Court noted that the Divisional Commissioner had not clearly indicated the encroachments, if any, made in the name of temples, churches, mosques or gurdwaras on public streets, public parks or other public places.

The Court also noted that the Divisional Commissioner had not indicated steps, if any, initiated by the Union Territory administration to deal with existing encroachments and to prevent future encroachments.

Hence, it sought details of the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Union Territory Administration.

The Divisional Commissioner has been granted six weeks to file a detailed affidavit.

Meanwhile, the Court also noted that the compliance report from Ladakh indicated that there was no encroachment by religious institutions on public streets, public parks or other public places.

The matter will be heard next on October 12.

[Read Order]