A bench headed by Justice A K Patnaik, however, allowed a CBI probe into alleged land-grabbing and constructions in the forest area as directed by the High Court.
"We, therefore, set aside the finding of the High Court that the entire land in village Karoran, District Ropar, is forest land for the purpose of Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and remand the matter to the High Court for fresh hearing and fresh order in accordance with law.
The bench said the High Court failed to appreciate the meaning of forest and forest land as given by the apex court.
The court passed the order on a bunch of petitions filed by different affected parties including Col. B S Sandhu who is the proprietor of the Forest Hill Golf and Country Club situated in the area.