Illegal Mining

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren has been disqualified as MLA by the Election Commission of India, confirmed sources on August 26. The announcement came after a hearing in the Hemant Soren mine leasing case which was being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. Notably, the BJP has accused Soren of extending himself a mining lease and sought his disqualification as an MLA.

The state home minister of Haryana Anil Vij has ordered a judicial probe into the killing of Haryana DSP by mining mafia. Tauru Deputy Superintendent of Police Surender Singh was allegedly murdered by mining mafia in Nuh district, on July 19. Reportedly, Singh was run over by a dumper truck, which Singh tried to stop for checking. Following the incident, the vehicle was seized and the truck driver was arrested.

Ahead of the Punjab Polls, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, demanded a CBI probe against CM Charanjit Singh Channi. Alleging him of conducting illegal mining in Chamkaur Sahib constituency, Majithia said, "Total loot by Channi in his 111 day tenure will be more than 1,111 crore". Majithia even released audio recordings of CM's close aide Iqbal Singh and his son discussing illegal mining with CM's blessings. 

Hearing a petition filed by the Jharkhand government, the Supreme Court said neither the Centre nor the states have right to mine in eco-sensitive zones.  While the Centre has the right to auction blocks, the decision of an area falling under the eco-sensitive zone is to be done by experts, the court added. Earlier, the Jharkhand government approached the court against the Centre’s plan to auction coal blocks for mining.