Overview

• The Justice BP Katakey Committee’s 31st interim report flagged the disappearance of more than 4,000 tonnes of coal from depots in Rajaju and Diengngan, with MBDA records showing only traces remaining.
• On July 25, a bench led by Justice HS Thangkhiew ordered FIRs against responsible officials, suspended fresh coal auctions and demanded enforcement action.
• State investigators have yet to name or charge those involved in the loss, and new coal sales remain suspended pending court-mandated reforms.
• Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla’s claim that heavy monsoon rains washed the coal into Assam and Bangladesh has met with judicial skepticism and sparked widespread social media ridicule.
• Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy has informed Parliament that the Centre will seek formal clarification from Meghalaya’s government on the unexplained disappearance.