SC restrains Modi govt from giving ownership rights to tribals

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Dealing a severe blow to the attempt of the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to woo tribals ahead of the assembly elections in the state, the Supreme Court has restrained his goverment from giving ownership rights to the tribals of forest land.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S D Kapadia yesterday also directed that the possession of land already given to tribals shall be subject to the outcome of the application filed by amicus curiae Harish Salve.

Mr Salve in his application had contended that the forest land being alloted to the tribals was in defiance of the orders of the court, prohibiting any allotment of forest land without prior permission of this court.

Mr Salve also contended that the ownership rights given to the tribals in forest land was a calculated move by the ruling party in the state to secure tribal votes in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state.

UNI