Ramanathapuram illegal quarrying: Madras High Court orders action against inspector after 143 cases were recorded over five years

The petitioner sought directions to inspect and stop alleged illegal sand, murram and soil quarrying in Ramanathapuram District, seize vehicles and machinery, initiate proceedings against those involved, and consider departmental action against the fourteenth respondent, a police inspector

The fourteenth respondent denied the allegations and stated that he had registered Crime No. 212 of 2026 concerning illegal sand transportation

The State submitted that illegal quarrying had stopped, but a report from the Assistant Director of Geology and Mining recorded 143 cases during 2021–2025, indicating that illegal quarrying had occurred over that period

The petitioner also referred to Crime No. 166 of 2026 and alleged that the police had not acted against the quarrying or arrested the accused; investigation in that crime was stated to be ongoing

Whether the authorities should be directed to take action against illegal quarrying and related activities in Ramanathapuram District

Whether action should be taken against the fourteenth respondent in light of the report indicating illegal quarrying over the preceding five years and the asserted lack of police action

The petition invoked Article 226 of the Constitution and referred to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, as governing illegal quarrying and related enforcement

The Court did not identify any specific statutory provision or precedent. Its directions required the authorities to act “in the manner known to law” and “in accordance with law”

The Court relied on the Assistant Director’s report recording 143 cases between 2021 and 2025 as evidence that illegal quarrying had occurred, notwithstanding the State’s submission that it had stopped

It also noted that Crime No. 166 of 2026 had initially been registered for offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and that investigation was ongoing

Given the reported history of quarrying and the stated failure to act before the Court’s intervention, it directed the Inspector General of Police, South Zone, to take lawful action against the fourteenth respondent and the District Collector to proceed against those conducting illegal quarrying

It directed the seventh respondent to take action against persons engaged in illegal quarrying, take steps to stop the operations, and file an action-taken report within eight weeks of receiving the order

The matter was listed after eight weeks for reporting compliance; no costs were ordered.