Illegal Sand Mining At Border: Punjab & Haryana HC Enquires Whether Army Can Be Deputed To Conduct Survey, Find Out If Illegal Mining Is Going On

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has asked the Union Government whether the Army can conduct aerial or land surveys to find out whether illegal sand mining is going on at the border.

The development came while hearing a batch of petitions filed raising the issue of illegal mining at border areas and national security in Punjab.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, "Learned counsel appearing on behalf of Union of India is directed to seek instructions and file an affidavit as to “Whether the Army can be deputed to conduct aerial or land survey to find out whether illegal mining of sand is going on?.”

As per the plea filed by Gurjit Singh through Advocate Satinder Kaur in 2020, illegal mining operations at the river bed of Ravi adjoining sensitive Army check posts on LOC are endangering the security of the nation. The petition also stated that a huge amount of money is earned illegally by printing fake receipts of loading the sands.

The counsel appearing for another petitioner advocate A.P.S. Shergill stated in the plea that in Pathankot the illegal excavation has resulted in a deep burrow near the border through which people can enter the country from Pakistan.

Considering the seriousness of the issue, the Court had directed the Defence Ministry in November 2023 to consider all the aspects, material and pictures which are placed on record by the petitioners and file on the next date that how legal mining can take place at such areas.

"Keeping in view that for the last 10 years this mining is going on in border area of State of Punjab, a direction is being given to the Ministry of Defense to consider this aspect after going through the material available in these writ petitions and the photographs placed on record and then take a decision that how the mining can be carried out legally in the border areas and inform this Court about the said decision..," the Court had then stated.

The matter is listed for September 18, for further consideration.

Title: GURBIR SINGH PANNU V. UNION OF INDIA & ORS

Click here to read/download the order