The Jharkhand High Court on 18th August 2025, directed district authorities of Hazaribagh to conduct a detailed inspection into alleged illegal mining activities in Hazaribagh. The division bench of Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar passed the order while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking action to curb unlawful excavation in the district.
Court Asked DC, SP and DMO to Conduct Regular Inspections
During the hearing, the State Government informed the court that nine tractors and two JCB machines had been seized in earlier raids, although workers fled the sites. Observing that such instances confirm ongoing illegal activity, the court directed the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, and District Mining Officer of Hazaribagh to jointly inspect the affected areas and file a status report. The bench specifically instructed that inspections should be carried out not just during the day but also at night to ensure accountability. The matter has been listed for the next hearing on September 1.
Petitioner Flagged Safety Hazards from Deep Excavations
Counsel for the petitioner, advocate Hemant Kumar Sikarwar, alleged that stone mining was being carried out at eight different sites in Hazaribagh. Blasting operations have reportedly led to cracks in residential houses and school buildings in Ichak’s Sanan and Hepsa villages. He further highlighted that excavations have gone as deep as 300 feet, with rainwater filling the pits, creating the risk of accidents. The petitioner urged to halt illegal mining and take measures to fill the open pits to prevent loss of life and property.
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