‘Shocking failure, zero will’: Supreme Court tears into states over sand mafia menace

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sharply criticised the response of state governments to illegal sand mining, saying they cannot “plead helplessness” or hide behind administrative shortcomings.

The court described as “startling and disquieting” the claim by the Madhya Pradesh government that its forest officials lack adequate weaponry to tackle heavily armed sand mafia groups. “The State cannot be permitted to plead helplessness or take shelter under its own inadequacies,” the Court said.

“Shocking state of unpreparedness”

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that such submissions reveal a “shocking state of unpreparedness” and lack of institutional will. The court said these inadequacies directly contribute to ongoing illegality, violence, loss of life and environmental damage, particularly in ecologically sensitive zones.

The case relates to illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, a protected area spread across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The court noted that unchecked mining activities are causing irreversible harm to fragile ecosystems and threatening critically endangered species such as the gharial and Ganges river dolphin. Continued “Failure to equip enforcement personnel strikes at the very root of governance and the rule of law.”

The Supreme Court said failure to equip enforcement agencies undermines governance and weakens the rule of law. It warned that such inaction emboldens criminal networks and erodes public trust in the state’s ability to maintain law and order.

Directions to strengthen monitoring

The bench directed states to strengthen surveillance and monitoring systems using technology-driven mechanisms, including real-time tracking and enforcement. It emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to curb illegal mining activities effectively.

The court warned that if states fail to take concrete steps, it may consider stringent measures, including deploying paramilitary forces, imposing heavy penalties or even ordering a complete ban on sand mining in affected regions.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on May 11. The court made it clear that failure to act could lead to urgent and strict directions to protect the ecosystem and restore the rule of law in the region.
(With PTI inputs)