Orissa HC directs to stop movement of illegally raised minerals

Expressing concern over illegal mining activities, the Orissa High Court directed Superintendents of Police and Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to monitor and take action against mining activities being carried out in violation of the law.

In a public interest litigation, petitioners Jayanta Kumar Rout and others had stated that not only indiscriminate blasting was being carried out by mining mafias at the mining site, but also the indifference of the administration in not taking any action or taking any action against these mafias was also evident.

The petitioners’ lawyers also loudly stated that the petitioners had noticed that vehicles carrying such stones and minerals were moving in the village since the previous months and that they often heard explosions.

“It is alarming from the instruction that despite communication made by Mining Officer Mayurbhanj to Balasore Mining Officer on September 23, 2025, some mafia in Balasore district are mostly doing illegal excavation and one of the excavators owned by a person named Radheshyam crusher (Sarisua, Guapal) has been caught but alleged that they are the auctioneer of quarry in Balasore district. They are actually digging stones using heavy machinery from Mayurbhanj district,” says Orissa. The order passed by the HC’s division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman.

“Frequent raids were carried out and various steps were requested to draw the district borders and implement the provisions of the criminal law, but no positive results were obtained.”

The Divisional Bench directed the Superintendent of Police of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts to deploy adequate police personnel in the mining areas and in case of any mining activity, necessary steps should be taken immediately upon verification of relevant documents issued by the Competent Authority.

Similarly, RTOs should be required to constitute a team of adequate personnel to intercept any vehicle carrying minerals passing on the road in Odisha and in case of non-availability or non-carrying of required documents under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, immediate seizure should be ensured and persons should also be subject to legal sanctions.

The court directed the Odisha government to submit a representation within three weeks on the measures taken to control illegal mining activities.