HC orders Chief Secretary to report in 48 hours

Finding large-scale illegal mining in the Aravalli Hills in the Charki Dadri region, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed Haryana Chief Secretary to file a report in 48 hours. The court’s action came after the findings of the court commissioner. Expressing grave concerns on the illegal mining in Village Pichopa Kalan, District Charkhi Dadri, Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, perusing the drone survey report, said that blatant violations are happening.

“What is seen with the naked eye, is not only disturbing but is also bewildering. Its prima-facie appears to be a case of blatant violation of Environmental norms contained in the Environmental Clerance Certificate as well as the mining plan, causing loot and plunder of natural resources,” said the Bench.

“The callousness on the part of the State authorities in the discharge of their duties which has led to such an unfortunate situation. At this stage, we cannot rule out connivance on the part of the responsible officers who were entrusted with the duty to ensure compliance of laws,” said the Judges.

The petitioners alleged that the State authorities permitted indiscriminate and illegal mining far beyond the approved lease area, resulting in the complete disappearance of hillocks, deep pits, shaven trenches and steep cliffs and severe ecological damage and safety hazards. The denial of royalty/rent/compensation exceeding Rs 9 crores.

“Disturbing And Bewildering” after repeated adjournments and allegations of State inaction, the Court appointed Advocate Kanwal Goyal as Advocate Commissioner to inspect the site. His report, along with drone mapping, substantially confirmed the allegations.

The bench pointed that only 6 out of 9 boundary pillars were found and mining extended far beyond the approved lease area, rendering boundary verification impossible.

“The Ongoing stone crushing, truck movement and dumping and virtually no plantation, despite EC conditions mandating 600 trees per year,” said the Judges. The Court noted that what was visible “with the naked eye” pointed to blatant violation of environmental norms and large-scale plunder of natural resources.