BREAKING: Supreme Court Summons Top Rajasthan Officials Over Illegal Sand Mining In Chambal Sanctuary
Supreme Court directed Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to intensify crackdown on illegal sand mining in the Chambal Sanctuary with strict surveillance and enforcement measures
The Supreme Court on Thursday took a stern view of large-scale illegal sand mining inside the National Chambal Sanctuary and directed several senior Rajasthan government officials to personally appear before it in the next hearing.
The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a suo motu case concerning rampant illegal mining activities in the eco-sensitive sanctuary area and the resulting threat to endangered aquatic species, including gharials.
Expressing concern over continued violations despite earlier directions, the Court ordered the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department and the Principal Secretaries of the Mining & Geology, Finance, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, and Transport & Road Safety departments of Rajasthan to remain personally present before the Court on the next date of hearing.
The bench also directed all these officials to file separate and detailed compliance affidavits explaining the steps taken pursuant to the Court’s earlier orders dated April 2 and April 17, 2026, along with timelines for implementing the remaining corrective measures.
The Court specifically pulled up the Transport and Road Safety Department over the operation of unregistered and unidentified vehicles allegedly being used for illegal mining and transportation activities in the sanctuary region.
It directed the Principal Secretary of the department to file a detailed affidavit disclosing:
1. Measures taken to identify and stop unregistered mining vehicles
2. Steps initiated to enforce the Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicles Rules
3. Action taken against erring officials and violators
4. Future preventive measures proposed within a fixed timeline
The Supreme Court also impleaded the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as a party in the proceedings. It directed NHAI to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the measures taken, or proposed to be taken, to protect the structural integrity and safety of bridges located near areas affected by illegal mining. The bench further asked NHAI to explain why CCTV surveillance and monitoring systems should not be installed on and around the bridges to enable real-time tracking of illegal mining and transportation activities.
The Registry has been directed to immediately communicate copies of the latest order, along with the Court’s earlier order dated April 17, to the standing counsel representing NHAI.
The matter has now been listed for further hearing on May 19.
Earlier, this month, the Court had examined compliance with earlier directions issued to curb illegal mining activity in the protected eco-sensitive zone. The bench had expressed concern over the findings, questioning how tractors and other vehicles could be operating without registration in such sensitive areas, and remarked on what he termed a serious administrative lapse by the State of Rajasthan.
Last month, the Court had issued a series of stringent directions to curb illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, warning that continued inaction by authorities could invite severe consequences, including deployment of central forces and a complete ban on mining activities.
On April 13, the Court had came down heavily on the States of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan over rampant illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, flagging serious threats to public safety and endangered wildlife. In earlier proceedings, the Supreme Court had also stayed a notification issued by the Rajasthan government de-notifying 732 hectares of the Chambal Sanctuary without prior approval, observing that the State could not have acted unilaterally.
In March, the Court had came down heavily on authorities in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh over continued illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, observing that officials may be held vicariously liable for destruction of protected wildlife habitats due to their “lethargy and inaction.” Earlier, on March 13, the Court had taken suo motu cognisance of alleged illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, expressing concern over the threat posed to endangered aquatic wildlife, particularly the critically endangered Gharial.
Case Title: In Re: Illegal Sand Mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and threat to endangered Aquatic Wildlife versus
Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
Order Date: May 14, 2026