6.6 C
New York
Friday, March 29, 2024

Buy now

Friday, March 29, 2024

Meghalaya High Court calls for inquiry into alleged illegal mining of coal in state

Considering the gravity of the matter, the bench has also directed that it be placed before the ‘Full Bench’ with the full complement of the Judges of the Court on March 7.

SHILLONG:

The Meghalaya High Court (MHC), on March 2, said that an inquiry is called for into alleged illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state.

In its order passed while hearing a PIL on the issue, the division bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said, “In view of Article 144 of the Constitution of India and the obligation of all to aid in implementing the orders of the Supreme Court and the apparent failure of the State in such regard as would be apparent from the newspaper reports based on which cognizance was taken, an inquiry is called for.”

Considering the gravity of the matter, the bench has also directed that it be placed before the ‘Full Bench’ with the full complement of the Judges of the Court on March 7.

“The matter is of importance and great seriousness since orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) as approved by the Supreme Court appear not to have been carried out,” it said.

The bench highlighted that certain time-bound recommendations were made by a committee constituted by the NGT, and there is a copious reference to the same in the Supreme Court order, dated July 3, 2019.

Several other recommendations have subsequently been directed to be implemented by the NGT, but it does not appear that any action has been taken in such regard.

“The aspect that engages the attention of this Court is the illegal mining that appears to have resurfaced and is rampant in large areas of the State, with no permission or license or sanction being obtained, therefore, notwithstanding the law as declared in the Supreme Court judgment of July 3, 2019,” it stated in its order.

On February 23, the court while taking cognizance of reports and the complaint filed by the Nokma of Nengchigen against certain persons, including the police, alleging widespread illegal mining of coal within the clan lands, had also threatened to appoint a special investigation team to investigate into the racket.

“It is clarified that the matter complained of needs to be looked into with no political interference; or else, the Court may be constrained to appoint a fact-finding committee, including a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or take the assistance of some agency so that the matter is appropriately and thoroughly investigated in accordance with law and the persons involved are brought to book,” the bench had then said.

Related Articles

Stay Connected

146,751FansLike
12,800FollowersFollow
268FollowersFollow
80,400SubscribersSubscribe

Latest Articles