The Centre opposed a plea by four Nicobarese tribal representatives to join a case challenging forest rights recognition on Great Nicobar Island.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs told the Calcutta High Court that the applicants bypassed statutory remedies under the Forest Rights Act with an unexplained delay.
The legal dispute impacts the ₹81,000-crore Great Nicobar development project, with the next court hearing scheduled for November 25 and 26.