The Supreme Court came down heavily on the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh over continued illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, warning that if recent media reports of ongoing mining activity despite judicial directions are found to be true, officials may have filed false affidavits before the Court.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, hearing the suo motu proceedings concerning illegal mining in the Chambal sanctuary region, was apprised by Amicus Curiae Nikhil Goel of a Hindustan Times report alleging continued illegal mining in the protected area despite the Court’s earlier orders.
Invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Court issued an extensive set of directions aimed at strengthening enforcement, surveillance, criminal action, and ecological protection in the sanctuary region.
The Court directed Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh to immediately augment field enforcement capacity in forest departments, including filling vacancies for forest guards and frontline personnel engaged in protection, surveillance, and patrolling, with recruitment to be completed as far as practicable within one year. Chief Secretaries of all three States have been directed to file affidavits detailing vacancies and recruitment steps.
To strengthen monitoring, the Court ordered the establishment and operationalisation of surveillance infrastructure, including CCTV systems, integrated monitoring mechanisms, and control centres, with previously directed surveillance measures to be made functional within six months.
The Bench further directed stringent and coordinated enforcement action against illegal mining operations, ordering immediate interception, seizure, and confiscation of vehicles and machinery operating without valid registration, with fake or tampered number plates, or otherwise in violation of transport laws. It also ordered criminal prosecution not only of drivers but of owners, financiers, contractors, operators, and all individuals connected to organised illegal mining networks under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Motor Vehicles Act, MMDR Act, and other applicable laws.
The Court mandated maintenance of comprehensive digital records relating to seizures, ownership details, prior violations, criminal antecedents, and enforcement action.
Recognising the risks faced by enforcement personnel, the Court directed the States to examine issuance of notifications under Section 218 BNSS to protect forest guards and frontline officials acting bona fide during anti-mining and wildlife protection operations.
The Court also issued specific directions to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to install high-resolution night-vision CCTV cameras on the NH-44 bridge near the Morena–Dholpur border, with surveillance coverage extending one kilometre upstream and 500 metres downstream to monitor vulnerable river stretches. Live access to the CCTV feed is to be provided to police, forest, and enforcement authorities, with uninterrupted 24×7 functioning and adequate footage preservation.
NHAI and state authorities were further directed to prevent dumping of debris and waste into the Chambal River, install tamper-proof fencing and protective mesh, seal vulnerable access points, and impose penalties for polluting the river ecosystem.
Addressing the socio-economic dimensions of illegal mining, the Court directed States to examine livelihood alternatives, employment generation schemes, skill development initiatives, and opportunities in conservation, afforestation, eco-tourism, and surveillance support for local communities dependent on illegal mining.
The Court also sought affidavits from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Water Commission, and concerned state departments regarding maintenance and augmentation of environmental flows in the Chambal River ecosystem, including responses to the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee.
Chief Secretaries of the three States have been directed to review compliance every two months and file status reports before the Court.
The matter will next be heard on July 22.
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