Chandigarh. A two‑judge bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the state government to act swiftly against alleged illegal mining discovered at around 233 locations across the Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts.
Court Orders Immediate Action
The judgment was delivered by a bench chaired by Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, who were hearing multiple petitions alleging extensive mining infractions in the two districts. The court referenced a Survey of India report dated 3 July 2026 that listed the 233 suspected sites.
Four‑Week Deadline
State officials have been allotted a strict four‑week period to examine the report, pinpoint responsible parties, and launch appropriate enforcement actions. The bench warned that any failure to comply could result in the investigation being transferred to an independent agency, and officials who ignore the order may be held personally liable.
The government must submit a comprehensive report of the measures taken before the next hearing.
Mining Director’s Affidavit
During the proceedings, the court noted that the Punjab Mining Director had not yet filed the affidavit previously mandated. Accordingly, the bench instructed that the affidavit be filed within 48 hours, with a copy forwarded in advance to the petitioners’ counsel.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on 16 November 2026, when the court will evaluate the state's compliance and any actions undertaken by the relevant authorities.
