Meghalaya High Court
In Re: (Sou Motu): Illegal Mining Of vs . State Of Meghalaya & Ors. on 27 April, 2026
Bench: H. S. Thangkhiew, W. Diengdoh
Serial No. 02
Regular List
HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA
AT SHILLONG
MC (PIL) No. 4 of 2026 in
PIL No. 2 of 2022
Date of Order: 27.04.2026
In Re: (Sou Motu): Illegal Mining of Vs. State of Meghalaya & Ors.
coal in the State of Meghalaya
Coram:
Hon'ble Mr. Justice H. S. Thangkhiew, Judge
Hon'ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge
Appearance:
For the Petitioner(s) :
For the Respondent(s) : Mr. A. Kumar, AG with
Ms. R. Colney, GA
Dr. N. Mozika, DSGI with
Ms. M. Myrchiang, Adv.
Per. H.S. Thangkhiew, Judge:
1. A Status Report dated 15.04.2026, has been filed in compliance
to the order dated 05.03.2026, passed by this Court in the instant Misc. Case.
The steps taken with regard to the investigations and chargesheets that has
been filed in a number of cases, have been given in detail, as also the
registration of Suo Motu FIR’s under the Explosive Substances Act. It is
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stated in the Report that 7(seven) persons have been identified and arrested,
including persons directly involved in illegal mining activities, and handling
of explosives. It is also reported that in a multitude of matters, the owners of
the mines have been identified and statements have been recorded, and in
instances where coal owners are not identified, the concerned headmen have
been identified and charge sheeted.
2. With regard to the payment of compensation, it is reported that
out of 31(thirty-one) victims, 14(fourteen) persons have been afforded
compensation, but it is also noted that the same relates only to the residents
of Assam and Meghalaya, whereas many victims are also from Nepal.
Though it is stated that steps have been taken through official channels to
identify the heirs of the deceased, it is felt necessary by this Court that the
matter should be taken up more expeditiously, inasmuch as, the persons who
received the bodies, would naturally be the heirs, or the heirs known to them.
3. Though the investigation is ongoing, it is expected that in terms
of the orders of this Court and the findings of the Justice B.P. Katakey (Retd.)
Committee, that further action be taken, which is more decisive, especially to
identify track down the persons/officials who are directly or indirectly
involved in facilitating illegal mining and its transportation, and appropriate
action be taken.
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4. A Status Report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), has also
been filed, and the same apart from the stating the terms of reference has little
to offer, except that some transfers have been effected, which however, does
not disclose whether the same has been done in the normal course, or due to
any complicit action on the part of the transferred officers or persons. This
Court expects that the SIT, which has been specially constituted to look into
these matters, apart from reviewing or relying on the progress of the cases
currently under investigation, take more pro-active steps as per the stated
mandate and the terms of the reference. Though the learned Advocate
General has offered that the stages of investigation be given in a sealed cover,
however this Court does not feel it is necessary at this point of time, but only
a brief report on the next date would suffice.
5. Accordingly, list this matter on 01.06.2026, for further orders.
(W. Diengdoh) (H.S. Thangkhiew)
Judge Judge
Meghalaya
27.04.2026
"V. Lyndem PS"
Signature Not Verified Page 3 of 3
Digitally signed by
VALENTINO LYNDEM
Date: 2026.04.29 16:42:20 IST