Delhi High Court Orders Constitution Of Joint Task Force To Stop Illegal Sand Mining On Yamuna River Banks

The Delhi High Court has ordered constitution of a joint task force, comprising Delhi Police and Uttar Pradesh Police,  to ensure that the illegal sand mining on the banks of Yamuna River is stopped.

Justice Prathiba M Singh directed the joint task force to regularly monitor the river banks and ensure that "proper pickets" are posted for stopping any kind of illegal sand mining.

“…. it is directed that the DCP of the concerned area of Outer North - Mr. Ravi Kumar Singh shall coordinate with the concerned SSP of the U.P. Police and constitute a Joint-Task Force to ensure that the illegal sand mining on the banks of Yamuna River is stopped,” the court said.

It also observed that the matter is of “great concern and emergency” as there is a “large scale environmental impact” due to illegal sand mining.

The court was hearing a plea moved by one Ravinder seeking to stop the sand mining at the Yamuna River bank near Delhi’s Hiranki village area.

He has alleged the illegal sand mining is taking place near the marginal embankment along the Yamuna river by deployment of Hydraulic Excavator and Dumpers.

The court noted that the status report filed by the Delhi Police reveals that some parts of the river bank area in question fall within the jurisdiction of Delhi’s Alipur police station whereas some part falls within the jurisdiction of the Uttar Pradesh police.

“It is quite clear from the status report that illegal sand mining is continuing, and undue advantage is being taken of the fact that some part of the Yamuna River bank area affected by illegal sand mining falls within Delhi and other part falls within U.P. Some arrests have also been made in pursuance of FIR No. 254/23, of some of the persons who were engaged in the illegal sand mining,” the court said.

Justice Singh also expressed concern about the fact that a lease-deed was entered into between the District Magistrate of Ghaziabad and an entity namely M/s New Penther Sicurity Guard Services Prop Bani Sing permitting use of hydraulic excavators and JCB machines.

While directing the constitution of joint task force, the court directed the authorities to file a further status report in the matter before July 21, the next date of hearing.

“A copy of this order be sent to SSP, Ghaziabad, U.P. for implementation of the same,” the court ordered.

Title: RAVINDER v. STATE (GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI) & ANR.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 297

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