Joshimath sinking: 'No reason to keep reports by experts secret', says Uttarakhand high court

The Uttarakhand high court has criticized the state government for not making the reports prepared by eight scientific institutions on the Joshimath subsidence public. The court stated that the reports should be disclosed to the public as they contain vital information and would instill confidence that the government is taking the situation seriously. The reports, which focus on damage and risk assessment, geological investigation, and ground movement, reveal that 20% of houses in Joshimath are unusable. The court ordered the reports to be made available after they were placed in a sealed cover during the hearing.