Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 25: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by Advocates Dewakar Sharma and Ashish Sharma highlighting various issues involving conservation and preservation of River Tawi, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Tashi Rabstan today took serious note of illegal mining despite imposition of ban and directed SSP Jammu to file status report within a week.
When the matter came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, who had been appointed as Court Commissioner in these PILs, informed the Division Bench that despite the ban imposed in November 2016 illegal mining in River Tawi is taking place unabated.
“Illegal mining towards Sidhra and Nagrota is going on day and night and local police authorities seem to be hand in glove with the mining mafia”, he said, adding “even today morning he personally witnessed more than five tractor trolleys in the River Bed at Sidhra”.
He further submitted that directions of the Division Bench are being taken casually by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, adding that on number of occasions he has sent photographs on the personal Whatsapp of SSP Jammu showing illegal mining in the river bed and the orders of the Division Bench needs to be respected by the police authorities.
After considering the submissions, the DB, in the open court, expressed displeasure and asked Senior AAG S S Nanda appearing for the State Government to convey the concern of the court to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu. The Division Bench also directed the Senior AAG to file a status report with regard to the violations within one week.
Advocate Dewakar Sharma, petitioner in person, also shared the similar concern as projected by Advocate Ahmed and sought early listing of the matter. Upon this, the Division Bench directed the Registry to list the instant PILs immediately after one week.
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