Illegal mining in Ropar: HC summons Ropar SSP, Nangal Tehsildar, mining dept's XEN with all records
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a tough stance on the ongoing illegal mining case in Ropar. In orders issued on Thursday, the court sought immediate appearance of three key officials — Ropar SSP, Nangal Tehsildar and Executive Engineer (XEN) of the Mining and Drainage Department.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court made it clear that if these three officials failed to appear in the court on Friday, non-bailable warrants might be issued against them. The court also instructed these individuals to be present in the court in person and bring with them all relevant records pertaining to the case.
It comes following the Tehsildar's repeated failure to provide necessary information about the mining site, even after police intervention.
The court also observed a lack of action against illegal mining activities in the Ropar region and has raised questions about the handling of the case. It has even suggested the possibility of transferring the investigation of the 14 FIRs related to the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) due to "negligence" by the SSP.
The High Court expressed concern that even after a year, the mining site had not been sealed. "This situation strongly suggests that illegal mining activities continue unabated, with complicity from various quarters," observed the HC.
- With inputs from our correspondent