The National Green Tribunal’s Central Zone Bench in Bhopal has taken stern action against illegal sand mining in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahadol district.
The tribunal’s ruling came after a newspaper article highlighted the brutal killing of Prasanna Singh, a retired army personnel and Patwari, who was trying to stop illegal sand mining.
Singh was deputed by the district administration to control illegal sand mining and transportation.
On November 26, 2023, he was crushed to death by a tractor transporting sand. The incident sparked widespread outrage, leading the tribunal to take suo moto action.
The tribunal constituted a committee to investigate and submit a report. After reviewing the report, the Bench of Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr. A Senthil Vel directed the Madhya Pradesh government to:
– Pay compensation of at least Rs. 15,00,000 to Singh’s family
– Provide compassionate appointment to Singh’s wife
– Establish a police chowki in the buffer zone to control illegal mining
– Deploy staff in protected areas of Son Ghadiyal Sanctuary
– Ensure regular patrolling by forest department and local police
– Stop vehicles transporting sand without proper transit passes
The Madhya Pradesh government has since paid compensation of Rs 15,00,000 to Singh’s family and initiated the process for compassionate appointment of his wife.
The district collector has also sought legal opinion on the exact quantum of compensation payable.
With this directive, the original application has been disposed of by the Tribunal.