Summary
The Supreme Court accepted the Central Empowered Committee’s report of unlawful forest mining by Anil Lunia but declined the requested CBI inquiry in view of the State’s reported action. Mining had stopped, recovery proceedings and action against officials had begun, and the operator had been blacklisted. The authorities were left free to auction the confiscated iron ore in accordance with law. The applications were disposed of only insofar as Lunia was concerned.
Issues
- Whether a CBI inquiry and further directions were necessary concerning the forest mining attributed to Anil Lunia.
Held
- The CEC report was accepted. It disclosed flagrant legal violations and mining in forest areas; the record also established that the confiscated ore had come from adjoining forest land. (¶¶ 3–4, 7)
- The State’s affidavits showed that mining had long stopped, steps had been taken to recover the entire sale proceeds of ore mined and transported, disciplinary action had been initiated against erring officials, and the operator had already been blacklisted. In these circumstances, the requested CBI inquiry was unnecessary. (¶ 6–7)
- The concerned authorities were free to auction the confiscated iron ore in accordance with law. The applications were disposed of insofar as Anil Lunia was concerned, without costs. (¶ 7–8)
Result
Applications disposed of insofar as Anil Lunia was concerned, without costs. CBI inquiry not directed; lawful auction of confiscated ore permitted.