Chandigarh. A two‑judge bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab administration to act swiftly against alleged illegal mining uncovered at approximately 233 locations across the Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts.
Court Mandates Immediate Measures
The order was issued by a bench chaired by Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, who were hearing multiple petitions alleging extensive mining violations in the two districts. The judgment relies on a Survey of India report dated 3 July 2026 that listed the 233 suspected sites.
Four‑Week Compliance Window
State officials have been given a strict four‑week deadline to scrutinise the report, pinpoint the violators, and launch appropriate enforcement actions. The court warned that any lapse could result in the investigation being handed over to an independent agency, and officials who ignore the directive may be held personally liable.
The government must file a comprehensive report on the steps taken before the next scheduled hearing.
Mining Director’s Pending Affidavit
During the proceedings, the bench noted that the Punjab Director of Mining had not yet submitted the affidavit previously ordered by the court. Consequently, the judges directed that the affidavit be filed within 48 hours, with a copy served in advance to the petitioners’ counsel.
The matter is slated for further consideration on 16 November 2026, when the court will evaluate the state’s compliance and any actions taken by the relevant authorities.
