HC directs Ramanathapuram Collector to stop illegal quarrying operations
The Madras High Court has ordered the Ramanathapuram Collector to halt illegal quarrying operations in the district and file an action taken report within eight weeks. The court also directed the police to initiate departmental proceedings against a local police inspector accused of colluding with illegal operators.
Why it matters
This highlights judicial intervention in environmental protection and administrative accountability regarding the illegal extraction of natural resources.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Ramanathapuram Collector to take steps to stop illegal quarrying operations in the district, take action against those involved and file an action taken report.
A Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K. Ramakrishnan directed the Collector to file the action taken report in eight weeks. The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by R. Prabakar of Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district.
The petitioner had sought a direction to the authorities to identify, inspect, close down and seal all illegal sand quarries, murram/soil quarries and other unauthorised minor mineral quarrying operations, functioning in and around the Vaigai riverbed and other waterbodies in Ramanathapuram district and seize all vehicles, machinery and equipment used for such illegal quarrying activities.
He sought a direction to the authorities to conduct a comprehensive district-wide inspection of all quarrying operations in Ramanathapuram district.
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