NGT permits withdrawal of plea over alleged illegal mining, stone crushers in Himachal
NGT permits withdrawal of plea over alleged illegal mining, stone crushers in Himachal
New Delhi, Aug 18,
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has permitted withdrawal of a petition alleging illegal mining and operation of stone crushers on forest land at several locations in Himachal Pradesh, while granting liberty to the applicant to file a fresh application with complete factual details and supporting documents.
The matter came before a Bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, and Dr A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member, in Original Application No. 430/2026, Abhishek Rai versus State of Himachal Pradesh and others. The order was passed on August 10, 2026.
According to the Tribunal’s order, Rai had submitted a letter petition dated May 12, 2026, which was registered as an Original Application for exercise of suo motu jurisdiction in view of the Supreme Court judgment in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs Ankita Sinha.
The petition raised allegations of illegal mining and installation of stone crushers on forest land at Dhundi and Buruwa in Manali, and Keling Sarai, Chika Palmo, Khoksar, Gue, Zing Zing Bar and Roli in Lahaul-Spiti.
The applicant alleged that Garg and Garg Construction Company and Vinita Construction Company were operating crushers without mandatory permissions and clearances. The petition claimed that construction material was being supplied to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on a large scale, with the alleged extraction estimated at “in excess of 30 lakhs per day”.
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It further alleged “serious damage to forest land and fragile Himalayan ecology”, environmental degradation, pollution and loss of government revenue. The applicant also claimed that the crushers were located less than 100 metres from rivers, allegedly violating prescribed environmental and mining norms.
During the hearing, the Tribunal sought complete particulars of the alleged violators, affected land and supporting documents. The applicant sought withdrawal with liberty to file a fresh application after incorporating the necessary details and parties.
The Tribunal accordingly dismissed the application as withdrawn, with liberty to file a fresh application on the same cause of action in accordance with law.
The Tribunal also informed the applicant that he could seek legal assistance from the National Green Tribunal Bar Association (Principal Bench) Legal Aid Committee.
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