On 23rd September, a bench of Madras High Court consisting of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P. D. Audikesavalu directed that the State must assess the extent of Illegal quarrying indulged in by a person and recover the money equivalent thereof together with the imposition of penalty.
The Court further expressing concern over illegal mining stated that any person who has indulged in illegal mining, where illegal mining would be when one operates without a licence or in excess of the terms granted by the licence, the person has to be made to pay.
The bench also clarified that this matter may not be seen in isolation as there are other petitions pending before it alleging abound of illegal mining all over the State. Indeed, a drive down any major highway in this State would reveal the large scale mining Operations undertaken and rocks and boulders are being broken and flattened all over the place.
At the outset the bench ordered the respondents, particularly the respondents deputed with the task of conducting an inquiry pursuant to this order, keep their eyes and ears open to take immediate appropriate steps in accordance with law to arrest illegal mining wherever or whenever it takes place anywhere in the State.
Read Order @Latestlaws.com
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