Reading Comprehension — quick quiz

Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows: "Judicial activism refers to judicial rulings that are suspected of being based on personal opinion rather than existing law. In India, the judiciary has expanded its role beyond mere interpretation of laws to protecting fundamental rights and ensuring social justice. Landmark judgments on environmental protection, right to privacy, and reservation policies exemplify this trend. However, critics contend that excessive judicial activism encroaches upon the legislature's domain, disrupting the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution." What does the word 'encroaches' most nearly mean in the context of the passage?