State Of Kerala & Ors vs Sunil Kumar S. & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the legality of a Kerala High Court decision that varied a Single Judge's order regarding the grant of lease for encroached forest land under Article 226 of the Constitution. The Court held that the directions requiring prior approval from the Central Government were valid, emphasizing the necessity of compliance with the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, particularly in light of the encroachment and the status of the land prior to the Act's enforcement. The Court upheld the High Court's decision, reinforcing the importance of adhering to statutory requirements in land lease matters.