The Calcutta High Court disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking appropriate direction alleging that there is illicit mining of river sand.
Earlier the petitioner had come forward with similar prayer which was disposed of by an order dated 5.12.2022 by directing the petitioner to submit a detailed representation to the authorities, pursuant to which an enquiry appears to have been conducted and a direction had also been issued by the Additional District Magistrate and District Land and Land Reforms Officers, Bankura.
By an order dated 17.4.2023, the Additional District Magistrate and District Land and Land Reforms Officer, Bankura directed the officers under his establishment to keep vigil and conduct regular monitoring and supervision to prevent illegal mining. Subsequently, based on the representation given by the petitioner and the direction issued in the earlier writ petition, an Enquiry Committee was constituted consisting of three officers and a notice was issued to the writ petitioner to attend the enquiry.
In the communication dated 17th March, 2023 made by the Three-Member Committee addressed to the Sub-Divisional Land and Land Reforms Officer, Bankura (Sadar), it has been mentioned that the petitioner refused to receive the notice of enquiry and, therefore, the notice was pasted on the wall of his house. The Three Member Committee has examined and found that the sand lifting has been made by the authorised agency i.e., Northern Express Infra Developer Private Limited. There was no illegal sand mining or lifting found. In the said petition the said company has not been impleaded as a respondent.
Furthermore, in the petition, it has been stated that the petitioner apprehended danger to his life, if he participates in the enquiry and, therefore, he did not attend the enquiry.
However, it is seen that the ThreeMember Committee has specifically recorded that the petitioner has refused to receive the notice. In any event, the allegation made is against the Company which has been granted the work of desilting and dredging of the said river bed.
“Therefore, if the petitioner still has material to show that the said Company has violated the terms of the contract awarded to them, with that material the petitioner is granted liberty to approach the District Magistrate, Bankura and if any such representation is made, the District Magistrate, Bankura shall conduct a surprise inspection of the area and if any illegality is found after notice to all concerned, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with law”, the Division Bench of Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya directed.