Illegal mining: Supreme Court seeks response from Centre, Odisha govt

The Supreme Court today sought response from the Centre and Odisha government on a PIL seeking CBI probe into illegal mining in Odisha and stopping all mining activities in the state.

A green bench headed by Justice A K Patnaik issued notice and sought their response within four weeks while posting the matter for further hearing on April 28 on the interim plea for stay on illegal mining. The court asked its Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to submit a report on the petition and give a list of mines involved in illegal mining. The bench, also comprising justices S S Nijjar and F M I Kalifulla, also perused the report of Justice M B Shah Commission that had gone into the allegation of illegal mining in the state.

The PIL, filed by NGO Common Cause, had sought immediate intervention in the matter, saying that the Justice Shah Commission has pointed out large-scale illegal mining in the state. Citing the Commission report, the petition had sought directions to "stop forthwith" all illegal mining in Odisha and termination all leases of firms found involved in illegal mining. It had also sought a court-monitored probe by a special investigation team or CBI into illegal mining in the state.