Guwahati, May 8 -- The Gauhati High Court has directed the Assam Forest Department to file an affidavit explaining why the notification declaring the Garbhanga Reserved Forest in Guwahati as a wildlife sanctuary was cancelled. The affidavit must be submitted by August 5, 2026.

Hearing two separate PILs filed by journalist Rajeev Bhattacharyya and activist Subrata Talukdar, Chief Justice Asutosh Kumar asked Assam Forest Department Standing Counsel KP Pathak to submit the response affidavit before the next hearing and provide an advance copy to the petitioners' counsel. The petitioners were represented by advocates Vikram Rajkhowa and Mrimoy Khataniar.

"KP Pathak, learned Standing Counsel, Forest Department seeks some more time to put in ...