Supreme Court Flags Inaction on Illegal Mining in Dausa
The Supreme Court of India has recently taken a stern view of the alleged inaction by the Rajasthan government concerning illegal mining and stone crushing activities in the Dausa district. Following a strong warning from the Apex Court, the State has admitted to a prima facie lack of effective action by field authorities on complaints lodged by local villagers and has constituted a high-level committee to address the issue.
Genesis of the Grievance
The matter originates from a petition filed by Prakash, a villager from Kalwan village in Sikrai Tehsil, Dausa, who was convicted in a 2021 violence case. This incident was linked to protests against alleged illegal mining operations, encroachments, and pollution caused by stone crushing units. Villagers, including Prakash's sister, had reportedly made repeated complaints since 2020 about illegal blasting in the Aravalli range, dust pollution, road damage, cracks in houses and schools, and the prevalence of silicosis among residents due to these activities. The stone crushing units were allegedly operating outside their granted lease areas and encroaching upon Panchayat, forest, and grazing lands.
Supreme Court's Intervention and State's Admission
A bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R Mahadevan expressed dissatisfaction with the State of Rajasthan's initial response regarding these long-standing complaints. On February 12, 2026, the Supreme Court had already suspended Prakash's sentence, noting that the violence appeared to stem from the total inaction of authorities. On May 8, 2026, the Court granted a final opportunity to the State, warning that the Chief Secretary would need to appear personally if substantive action was not demonstrated. In response, the State filed a compliance affidavit on May 9, 2026, admitting that, “as per the facts presently known and on a perusal of the record presently available, it does prima facie appear that no effective or substantive action was taken by the field authorities concerned for ascertaining the correctness of the complaints of illegal mining and stone-crushing made by the villagers of the area…”
High-Level Committee and Future Monitoring
The affidavit further informed the Court about the immediate constitution of a High-Level Committee within 24 hours of the Supreme Court's warning. Chaired by the Divisional Commissioner, with a representative from the Additional Chief Secretary of the Mines and Petroleum Department and the District Collector as member-secretary, this committee is tasked with identifying responsible officers, recommending disciplinary action, and suggesting institutional measures to curb illegal mining. The State has assured the Supreme Court that the committee will submit its report within one month and that action will be taken against erring officials. Furthermore, the authorities have committed to personally monitor the entire matter, including the committee's functioning and compliance with the Court's directions.
[Synthetically Drafted | Lawssist-AI]
