Sand mining: NGT issues bailable warrants against 18 people

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday issued bailable warrants against 18 persons, who were allegedly carrying out illegal sand mining from the Yamuna river in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, for not appearing before it despite its orders seeking their presence.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar gave the direction after it was informed that out of the 18 persons, to whom notices have been issued, to appear before it and explain why they should not be punished, as well as made to pay compensation for damaging the environment. Only one driver appeared before the tribunal.

The bench, while issuing bailable warrants against 17 persons, who did not appear, observed, ‘they have violated the 5 August orders of the tribunal by continuing to do illegal sand mining in Gautam Budh Nagar’. The tribunal also sought the presence of the 11 persons who have been arrested in connection with theft of 80 per cent of the over two lakh cubic meter of sand seized by the mining department of Gautam Budh Nagar district.

The presence of the 11 persons, owners of earth moving machines, trucks and tractors, had allegedly used to illegally mine and ferry sand from the river bed of Yamuna, was sought by the bench, after it was told by Uttar Pradesh authorities that it has registered four FIRs against them in connection with the theft of seized sand. 

The bench fixed 1 November for disposing of all the matters related to sand mining being heard by it. Meanwhile, Gujarat government on Thursday assured the tribunal that no sand mining activity will be allowed in the state without environment clearance from environment ministry or State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.