Kiran Raj

The Meghalaya High Court has admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning alleged illegal limestone mining in the Jaintia Hills region. The petitioner claims that a private company has been engaging in mining activities without a valid license, potentially violating regulatory provisions. The court has directed the State of Meghalaya to treat the petition as an informal complaint, conduct an inquiry into the allegations, and file a report before the next hearing. Additionally, notices have been issued to several respondents, including the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. Before passing any substantive orders, the court has stated that respondent No.9 and other non-appearing respondents must be given an opportunity to present their submissions. The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 7, 2025.

The PIL arises from information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by an applicant, Shri S.K. Sharma, on March 2, 2022. The Guwahati Regional Office of the Indian Bureau of Mines, under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, provided details regarding companies with mining leases in the Jaintia Hills region. The petitioner has submitted that, based on this official information, respondent No.9, Amrit Cement Industries Limited, does not hold a valid license for limestone mining. The petition alleges that despite this, the company has been engaged in limestone extraction, which is then used in its cement production operations.

The petition further states that limestone mining in Meghalaya is subject to various statutory regulations, including Section 23C of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, and the Meghalaya Mineral (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation, and Storage) Rules, 2022. According to the petitioner, the company’s activities may be in violation of these regulatory frameworks, warranting judicial intervention.

The division bench of the Meghalaya High Court, comprising Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh, has taken note of the allegations and issued necessary directions. The court recorded: “We admit this public interest litigation (PIL). The petitioner is directed to immediately serve a copy of the petition on the private respondent, respondent No.9.”

The court has also directed that notices be issued to several respondents, including the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board and the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. The order states: “Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 being the State respondent are represented by learned counsel. Respondent Nos. 4, 5, 7, and 8 are represented by the learned Deputy Solicitor General.” Additionally, the court has ordered that respondent No.3, the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, and respondent No.6, the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd., be served with notices. The petitioner has been directed to file a comprehensive affidavit of service before the returnable date.

The court has stated that before issuing any substantive ruling, all necessary parties must be given an opportunity to present their stand. It has stated: “At this stage before passing any substantive order, we would like to hear the respondent No.9 and other non-appearing respondents who have been directed to be served by this order.”

In addition to summoning responses from the concerned parties, the court has directed the State of Meghalaya to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and submit a report before the next hearing. The order specifies: “In the meantime, we direct the State to treat the petition as an informal complaint, make the necessary inquiry and file a report in this Court before the returnable date.”

The court has further held that the inquiry must be conducted with due process, stating: “It goes without saying that while making the inquiry, in addition to the petitioner and the appearing respondents, the respondent No.9 shall also be noticed.”

The case has been scheduled for further hearing on April 7, 2025.

Case Title: Ranjit Chandra Goswami vs. State of Meghalaya & Ors.
Case Number: PIL No. 1/2025
Bench: Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh

[Read/Download order]