Telangana High Court Issues Notice to Authorities in PIL Alleging Illegal Mining

The Telangana High Court has taken cognizance of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against illegal limestone mining in the Sultanpur reserve forest area. The court has issued notices to both state and central environment authorities, seeking their response to the allegations.

The bench, led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J Anil Kumar, has directed several key officials to respond to these allegations. Notices have been served to the CBI Director, the District Collector of Suryapet, the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) of Huzurnagar, the Tahsildar of Mathampalli Mandal, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.

Advocate Karnati Venkata Reddy filed the PIL, accusing Sagar Cements and NCL Industries of illegal mining activities in the Huzurnagar Mandal area. The companies are alleged to have encroached on leasehold areas, reserve forest lands, and private properties of marginalized farmers.

According to the petitioner, numerous complaints lodged with revenue, forest, and mining officials have been overlooked due to alleged collusion with the entities involved in illegal mining activities. The plea further highlighted the huge loss of revenue to the government exchequer due to the illegal activities.

The authorities have been directed to file their responses to the contentions raised in the PIL petition. The matter has been scheduled for hearing after 4 weeks.

[With inputs from agencies]