Overview

• The High Court bench led by Justice HS Thangkhiew ordered state agencies to identify individuals or officials responsible for the disappearance of nearly 4,000 MT of illegally mined coal flagged by earlier surveys.
• FIRs have been filed in Rajaju, Diengngan and South Garo Hills but the court noted that no investigation outcomes have been reported to date.
• The court directed that fresh auctions of inventoried coal remain suspended pending adoption of clauses requiring full payment and lifting within 120 days of auction.
• Copies of the Justice BP Katakey Committee’s 31st interim report must be distributed to all stakeholders to ensure compliance with recommended auction and transport reforms.
• The August 25 hearing will assess steps taken to trace culprits and bolster monitoring through UAV surveys and the integration of Smart Check Gates