Supreme Court directs Rajasthan SPs and district collectors to stop illegal gravel mining

Jaipur: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the district collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) to stop illegal gravel and sand mining in Rajasthan. The court asked the government to submit a compliance report within four weeks.

The order was issued by the bench headed by chief justice SA Bobde on a content petition filed by one Naveen Sharma. The bench also comprised of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant.

The court has asked the Rajasthan government to take immediate steps to stop illegal sand mining. The government has been asked to file a compliance report in the apex court within four months. The petition alleged that despite a ban on the sand mining, it is happening across the state. It was the contempt of the court, so requested the bench to issue directions to the government in this regard. The bench said that the sand mining could cause irreparable damage to the environment. Several petitions regarding sand mining are being heard in the Supreme Court.

The court had also launched an investigation into the reports of illegal sand mining and submit a report within six weeks. The bench said that the court would also consider problems being faced by sand traders, transporters and other stockholders.