SC refuses CBI probe into illegal mining in Chhattisgarh forest

The Supreme Court Friday refused to order a CBI probe into alleged illegal iron ore mining in forest areas of Bastar after the Chhattisgarh government said it has taken action against the erring officials and such activities have been stopped.

A bench of Justices M B Lokur, S A Nazeer and Deepak Gupta passed the verdict on an interim application of Congress MLA Bhupesh Baghel seeking CBI probe into illegal mining by an industrialist, Anil Lunia, in the forest area near village Bhaisan Kanhar of Bastar district, where such activities have been banned.

"The affidavit of the State Government reveals that the State Government itself was alive to these violations and has taken necessary steps in the matter. The State has taken action not only to stop mining but also to initiate proceedings against the erring officials.

"A bare reading of the affidavit of the State shows that all mining activities in the forest areas have been stopped long time back," the bench said.

It said "it is clear from the records that the confiscated iron ore has been mined from the adjoining forest land" and ordered that the concerned authorities were "free to auction the aforesaid confiscated iron ore in accordance with law. Therefore, it is not necessary to direct the CBI enquiry as prayed for in the applications."