'Kitna sukhaoge Sukna Lake ko': Supreme Court raps builder mafia during hearing over Aravalli
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on builder mafias for destroying Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh in connivance with state officials.
During the hearing of the Aravalli Hills matter, the Supreme Court cautioned the Haryana government against repeating “past mistakes” and underscored that illegal mining could cause irreversible environmental damage. The court said it would set up an expert committee of domain specialists to carry out a comprehensive and holistic review of mining and allied issues in the Aravalli range.
“Kitna sukhaoge Sukna Lake ko (How much will you dry up Sukhna Lake) due to connivance of state officials, builder mafia is operating… You have damaged the lake completely," the bench said,
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi directed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati and amicus curiae K Parameshwar to suggest, within four weeks, the names of environmentalists and scientists with expertise in mining. The proposed expert body will function under the supervision and direction of the apex court.
The court also extended its earlier order keeping in abeyance its November 20 directions that had approved a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges.
During the proceedings, the bench was informed that illegal mining was taking place at scattered locations. The court recorded the assurance of Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Rajasthan government, that no unauthorised mining would be allowed.
The Supreme Court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the controversy over the definition of the Aravalli hills in a matter titled In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues. Following widespread objections, the court on December 29 last year put its November 20 directions on hold, citing the need to address “critical ambiguities”, including whether criteria such as a 100-metre elevation and a 500-metre gap between hills could deprive large portions of the Aravalli range of environmental protection.
- With inputs from agencies
