The Supreme Court prescribed a supervised process for Megamalai forest-rights claims on 6 November 2026, excluding cultivators with only temporary forest residence or residence outside the forest.
Judge / Bench — Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, Judges; order by Sandeep Mehta.
In A. John Kennedy v. Tamil Nadu, 2026 INSC 1204, it allowed 30 days to form remaining Gram Sabhas and five months thereafter to adjudicate claims. A committee headed by former Chief Justice B.R. Gavai will scrutinise decisions. It also sought a response on NHAI’s application and reassigned encroachment monitoring to the Forest Department.
Advocates appearing — Tamil Nadu Revenue Department: Jaideep Gupta, Senior Counsel. Social Justice Department: Sriram Panchu, Senior Counsel. State Law Department: Vrinda Bhandari, Counsel. NHAI: K.M. Nataraj, Additional Solicitor General. Amicus curiae: K. Parmeshwar. Appellants: Not named in the judgment/order.