MADURAI: The Madras High Court has emphasized that authorities must adhere to regulations to prevent illegal activities during sand quarrying operations.
This ruling came during the consideration of a public interest litigation filed in 2024 by L Karthick, president of the Salem East District Sand and M-Sand Lorry Owners Welfare Association. The petitioner requested that officials enforce the guidelines established by the government in a 2022 directive by restoring the Tamil Nadu Sand Web Service Portal (TN Sand App) and the ‘Investigator App’ with all previous features intact, facilitating the sale of river sand directly at quarry sites rather than through depots.
The petitioner’s counsel claimed that significant illegal activities and irregularities have been detected in river sand quarrying operations. Allegations included unlawful practices during transportation, falsifications in records, and unauthorized excess quarrying, which has resulted in financial losses for the state.
The state responded by denying these allegations, asserting that relevant departments are following the government’s guidelines and will take action if any irregularities are reported.
A division bench comprising Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice G Arul Murugan noted that the court cannot perform a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations, which would require document examination and verification.
The judges stated that habitual offenders involved in sand smuggling may be detained under the Goondas Act, and this extends to abettors, including law enforcement officials, as per the government’s 2018 directive.
The petitioner is permitted to submit a consolidated complaint with accompanying documents and evidence to the authorities, who are instructed to investigate the claims, verify the materials, and make decisions based on legal protocols. The petition was subsequently disposed of.
