'Blatant Loot & Plunder Of Natural Resources': P&H High Court Flags Illegal Mining In Aravalli Hills, Seeks Chief Secy's Affidavit

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed grave concern over large-scale illegal mining in Village Pichopa Kalan, District Charkhi Dadri, observing that the matter has far-reaching ramifications for ecology, environment and public interest, going well beyond the inter se disputes between private parties.Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor perusing the drone survey report said, "What is seen with the naked eye, is not only disturbing but is also bewildering. It prima-facie appears to be a case of blatant violation of Environmental norms contained in the Environmental Clerance Certificate as well as mining plan causing loot and plunder of natural resources."Connivance Of Responsible OfficerThe Court pointed the other unfortunate aspect noticed by it, "the callousness on part of the State authorities in discharge of their duties which has led to such 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."The plea was filed by residents of Village Pichopa Kalan, who claimed surface rights over land falling in Khasra Nos. 109 and 110, recorded in revenue records as gair mumkin pahar (hillocks) and forming part of the Aravalli range. Petitioner No.1 was also running a stone crusher at the site.Mining rights for stone and associated minor minerals over Plot No.3 (11 hectares) were granted to private respondent No.9 pursuant to an e-auction held in March 2016, followed by a Letter of Intent dated 11 April 2016 for a period of ten years.The petitioners alleged that the State authorities permitted indiscriminate and illegal mining far beyond the approved lease area, resulting in complete disappearance of hillocks, deep pits, shaven trenches and steep cliffs and severe ecological damage and safety hazards. The 3Denial of royalty/rent/compensation exceeding ₹9 croresThey further claimed that mining operations violated the Environment Clearance Certificate (EC) and the Haryana Mines and Minerals Concession Rules, and sought directions to stop illegal mining and assess compensation.Advocate Commissioner's Report: “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; Pillars C, D and E were missing and mining extended far beyond the approved lease area, rendering boundary verification impossible. The Existence of a deep central pit (approx. 47 meters) filled with water over 1.07 hectares. The Unstable slopes, ground fissures, absence of benching, buffer zones and safety measures. The Ongoing stone crushing, truck movement and dumping and irtually no plantation, despite EC conditions mandating 600 trees per year, it added.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.The Court took note of a communication dated 01.10.2025 by the District Mining Officer recommending cancellation of the mining lease — only after the writ petition was entertained — and found it troubling that the recommendation was based on economic unviability, rather than violations of environmental norms.It further recorded with “utter sense of despair” that no action followed at the level of the Director General, Mines & Geology, despite reported accidents in January and July 2025.Disappearance Of Public Road Raises Alarming QuestionsAnother serious issue flagged by the Court was the complete disappearance of a metalled road constructed by the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) at public cost.Despite RTI documents, official correspondence, and police reports confirming the existence of the road, the Mining Department denied it ever existed. The Court remarked that either crores of public money were siphoned off, or the State authorities were telling a blatant lie — both scenarios being “most disturbing”.In view of the seriousness of the matter, the High Court passed sweeping directions to Chief Secretary, Haryana to examine the entire issue and file a personal affidavit, entire mining record to be produced before the Court in sealed cover and Mining area to be sealed within 48 hours, under supervision of the Deputy Commissioner, with videography.The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change impleaded as a party and directed to file an affidavit and Haryana Space Application Centre directed to provide satellite imagery from 2016 onwardsWhile ordering the Status quo ordered; parties restrained from altering the site, the Court also expressed serious doubts over a belated order produced in Court claiming closure of mining operations, terming it a prima facie cover-up.Mr. Shailendra Jain, Senior Advocate assisted by Ms. ...

'Blatant Loot & Plunder Of Natural Resources': P&H High Court Flags Illegal Mining In Aravalli Hills, Seeks Chief Secy's Affidavit

Aiman J. Chishti

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