In Brief
The Kerala High Court had ordered restoration of land to the respondents, noting the State's rights under the Kerala Forest Act, 2003. When the State declined restoration, arguing the land was ecologically fragile, the High Court found this to be contempt of court. The Supreme Court set aside the contempt finding, holding that the Tribunal established under the Act has exclusive jurisdiction to determine whether land is ecologically fragile. The Court allowed the respondents to apply to the Tribunal under Section 10 of the Act, clarifying that the State's invocation of its statutory remedy does not constitute contempt.
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