Respondent No. 8 Ignores High Court’s March 15 Order, Causing Significant Losses to M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. and Sparking Environmental Concerns
- Respondent No. 8 in Writ Petition(C) No. 498/2024, continues illegal mining in the Nikki Tawi River despite a clear order from Justice Sanjay Dhar on March 15, 2024, prohibiting such activities.
- M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd., holding legitimate Letters of Intent for the mining blocks, faces significant financial losses due to respondent No. 8’s defiance of the court order.
- The ongoing illegal mining activities pose a severe threat to the Nikki Tawi River’s ecosystem and raise concerns about environmental damage.
- The petitioner and the public urge authorities to enforce the High Court’s order, hold respondent No. 8 accountable, and protect the environment from further harm.
jj correspondent
Jammu, April 21: A blatant disregard for the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court’s authority has come to light as respondent No. 8 in Writ Petition(C) No. 498/2024, continues to engage in illegal mining activities within the Nikki Tawi River, directly violating a court order issued on March 15, 2024, by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Dhar. This defiance has resulted in substantial financial losses for the petitioner, M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd., and raises serious concerns about environmental damage.
The case, WP(C) No. 498/2024, revolves around a dispute over mining rights in the Nikki Tawi River. M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd., having secured Letters of Intent (LOIs) for Minor Mineral Blocks 13/J and 18/J through a legitimate e-auction process conducted by the Geology and Mining Department, found their rights challenged when the department issued a disposal permit to respondent No. 8 for the same area. This conflicting permit threatened the petitioner’s investment and raised concerns about unfair practices.
Seeking justice and protection of their rights, M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. approached the High Court. Recognizing the potential for financial harm and environmental damage, Justice Sanjay Dhar issued a clear and unambiguous order on March 15, 2024. The order explicitly restrained respondent No. 8 from extracting any minor minerals from the specific blocks allocated to the petitioner through the LOIs. Additionally, the order mandated strict adherence to environmental regulations and compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal regarding mineral extraction.
However, despite the clear and legally binding directives of the High Court, respondent No. 8 has persisted in its illegal mining activities, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the judicial process and the rule of law. This defiance not only undermines the authority of the court but also inflicts significant financial losses upon the petitioner, who rightfully secured the mining rights through a transparent and legal process.
The ongoing illegal mining operations pose a grave threat to the ecological balance of the Nikki Tawi River and its surrounding environment besides threatening an electricity tower which is likely to collapse due to the mining. Unchecked extraction activities can lead to water pollution, soil erosion, habitat destruction, and long-term damage to the ecosystem. This disregard for environmental regulations jeopardizes the well-being of the local communities and raises concerns about the sustainable management of natural resources.
The petitioner, M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd., and concerned citizens demand swift and decisive action from the authorities to enforce the High Court’s order and hold respondent No. 8 accountable for its blatant disregard for the law and environmental regulations. Failure to act swiftly undermines the public’s trust in the judicial system and sets a dangerous precedent, potentially emboldening others to defy legal directives with impunity. The authorities must ensure that justice prevails and that the environment is protected from further harm caused by illegal mining activities.
The case, WP(C) No. 498/2024, revolves around a dispute over mining rights in the Nikki Tawi River. M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd., having secured Letters of Intent (LOIs) for Minor Mineral Blocks 13/J and 18/J through a legitimate e-auction process conducted by the Geology and Mining Department, found their rights challenged when the department issued a disposal permit to respondent No. 8 for the same area. This conflicting permit threatened the petitioner’s investment and raised concerns about unfair practices.
Seeking justice and protection of their rights, M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. approached the High Court. Recognizing the potential for financial harm and environmental damage, Justice Sanjay Dhar issued a clear and unambiguous order on March 15, 2024. The order explicitly restrained respondent No. 8 from extracting any minor minerals from the specific blocks allocated to the petitioner through the LOIs. Additionally, the order mandated strict adherence to environmental regulations and compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal regarding mineral extraction.
However, despite the clear and legally binding directives of the High Court, respondent No. 8 has persisted in its illegal mining activities, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the judicial process and the rule of law. This defiance not only undermines the authority of the court but also inflicts significant financial losses upon the petitioner, who rightfully secured the mining rights through a transparent and legal process.
The ongoing illegal mining operations pose a grave threat to the ecological balance of the Nikki Tawi River and its surrounding environment besides threatening an electricity tower which is likely to collapse due to the mining. Unchecked extraction activities can lead to water pollution, soil erosion, habitat destruction, and long-term damage to the ecosystem. This disregard for environmental regulations jeopardizes the well-being of the local communities and raises concerns about the sustainable management of natural resources.
The petitioner, M/s Choudhary Power Projects Pvt. Ltd., and concerned citizens demand swift and decisive action from the authorities to enforce the High Court’s order and hold respondent No. 8 accountable for its blatant disregard for the law and environmental regulations. Failure to act swiftly undermines the public’s trust in the judicial system and sets a dangerous precedent, potentially emboldening others to defy legal directives with impunity. The authorities must ensure that justice prevails and that the environment is protected from further harm caused by illegal mining activities.
