Former Chief Justice Bhushan R. Gavai Named to Head Panel on Tamil Nadu Forest-Rights Orders

Key facts

• On 6 November 2026, the Supreme Court appointed former Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai to head a committee reviewing forest-rights orders in Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Agasthyamalai landscape.
• The committee, formed by a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, includes an officer of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and Tamil Nadu's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
• The Court directed Tamil Nadu to constitute the remaining Gram Sabhas within 30 days and complete adjudication of claims through the statutory three-tier process within five months, with the committee to review the orders within two months after that deadline and submit findings in a sealed cover.
• The Court rejected silk cotton as a qualifying minor forest produce, distinguishing commercial cultivation from naturally occurring produce, and asked the CEC to investigate who financed or facilitated cultivation by outsiders.
• The state identified 4,594 occupants across 5,072.64 hectares, of whom 2,643 cultivated silk cotton on 3,637.83 hectares.
• The next hearing is scheduled for 1 February 2027 to consider an interim status report.