The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to the city police to work in conjunction with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh to form a joint task force aimed at stopping alleged illegal sand mining on the banks of the Yamuna River. The ruling came in response to a petition filed by Ravinder, who claimed that illegal sand mining was being carried out in the Hiranki village area of the national capital. The petitioner sought an end to the activity, which was being conducted through the use of hydraulic excavators and dumpers. The court observed that illegal sand mining was continuing in the area, and that those responsible were taking advantage of the fact that part of the area fell within Delhi and part within Uttar Pradesh.
Justice Prathiba M Singh, who presided over the case, emphasised that illegal sand mining had a significant environmental impact and was a matter of great concern and emergency. She directed the joint task force to regularly monitor the river banks and ensure that proper pickets were posted to prevent any kind of illegal sand mining. The court ordered the DCP of the concerned area of Outer North, Ravi Kumar Singh, to coordinate with the SSP concerned of the Uttar Pradesh Police to form the joint task force.
The court requested a fresh status report from the authorities, noting its concern that the District Magistrate of Ghaziabad had entered into an agreement with an entity permitting the use of hydraulic excavators and JCB machines in respect of sand mining on the river bank. The Delhi Police informed the court that an FIR had already been lodged in connection with the alleged illegal sand mining, and that the investigation was at a nascent stage. However, Ravinder, who had made representations to a large number of authorities, had neither cooperated with the enquiry nor provided any names of those responsible.
The court stressed that it was of enormous concern that there was large scale environmental impact due to illegal sand mining. It also clarified that no threats or coercive measures would be taken against Ravinder for having filed the petition, and asked the petitioner to cooperate with the investigation. The matter will be heard next on July 21.
