Gujarat high court asks govt to form panels to look into illegal mining

The Gujarat high court on Thursday asked the state government to constitute committees at the district and taluka level under the chairmanship of district collector and mamlatdar respectively to inquire into illegal mining.

The division bench of the high court comprising chief justice SJ Mukhopadhaya and Justice KM Thaker was hearing a public interest litigation filed by RTI activist, Amit Jethava who was murdered in July allegedly by the mining mafia that was affected by the PIL.

Jethava’s lawyer, Vijay Nangesh said the court has asked the government to form a policy in order to constitute committees at the district and taluka level. The court has also suggested that the district committee be headed by the district collector and district superintendent of police and it may include the officer of local gram panchayat.

“Moreover, the taluka level committees will be headed by the mamlatdar and concerned police sub-inspector,” he added. Jethava had filed a PIL to check illegal mining in the periphery of Gir Lion sanctuary. In his PIL, Jethava had alleged that Dinu Solanki, a BJP MP and his relatives were behind the illegal mining around Gir Sanctuary. Further hearing on the PIL has been adjourned to October 18.