Sand cases: HC seeks info on officials held under Goondas Act
Lamenting over the fact that illegal mining of river sand, savudu and blue metal has become a normal phenomenon across the State, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has sought to know how many officials have been booked under the Goondas Act for conniving with illegal miners.
By : migrator
Update: 2019-03-24 06:39 GMT
Chennai
Coming down heavily upon the district authorities for being mute spectators to the illegal mining of 10,000 cubic metre of gravel at Sitharevu village in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Palani taluk, a division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice SS Sundar, recalled an earlier order of the High Court which had directed the State to issue circulars stating that the provisions of Goondas Act would be invoked against officials aiding illegal mining.
“Even though the order was passed on May 8, 2018 and a GO was consequently issued by the Home, Prohibition and Excise Department on October 1, 2018, it is not known whether the
Goondas Act has been invoked against the officials,” the bench added.
Further, on the rampant mining at Sitharevu village, the bench said, “Prima facie we are convinced that there was a failure on the part of officials and there is also connivance of the officials with the illegal mining operators. Departmental action has to be taken against the officials.”
“The officials concerned should be directed to deposit at least a sum of Rs 75 lakh for allowing the private party to carry on illegal mining in the unapproved area in Sitharevu Village,” the bench said, while noting that it seems that this case is only the tip of the iceberg.
Also, noting that the Collector has failed in his duty to take any action despite repeated written representations received from the petitioner, the bench directed the State to undertake an inspection and find out the number of places where illegal mining transpires and file a report with district-wise details.
While seeking district-wise details where mining of sand, savudu and blue metal is totally prohibited, the bench also sought for details of the fine levied against illegal miners during the past 10 years and how much of it has been recovered.
CRACKDOWN
- A division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice SS Sundar, recalled an earlier order which had directed the State to issue circulars stating that the provisions of Goondas Act would be invoked against officials aiding illegal mining
- “Prima facie we are convinced that there was a failure on the part of officials and there is also connivance of the officials with the illegal mining operators. Departmental action has to be taken against the officials,” the bench said
- The bench also directed the State to undertake an inspection and find out the number of places where illegal mining transpires and file a report with district-wise details
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