In Brief
The Kerala State declined to restore land to respondents, claiming it was ecologically fragile under the 2003 Forest Act. A lower court found this a contempt of court. The Supreme Court held that only a statutory Tribunal can determine whether land is ecologically fragile—not the courts. The State's refusal was not contempt, as it invoked legitimate statutory protections. The Court set aside the contempt finding and dismissed the appeals, directing respondents to pursue the statutory remedy available under Section 10 of the Act before the Tribunal.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.