The Supreme Court has called for the mandatory use of preventive detention against individuals involved in illegal mining, following the death of a forest ranger who was run over by a vehicle while attempting to halt unlawful excavation in Rajasthan.
A three-judge bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Augustine George Masih, and Justice Sandeep Mehta made the observation on Wednesday after an advocate alerted the court to the killing. Directing counsel representing the state of Rajasthan to appear prepared with a formal response, the bench scheduled the matter for its next hearing on October 6.
Fatal Confrontation In Chhoti Sadri
The incident took place late Monday in the Chhoti Sadri forest zone. Forest ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat and an accompanying forest guard had deployed to the area after receiving intelligence regarding unlawful mining activity, according to statements released by authorities on September 22.
Divisional Forest Officer Suresh Chandra Agarwal confirmed that the inspection team had arrived on site to initiate enforcement action. When Singh attempted to intercept a dumper loaded with soil, the driver struck him, dragged the officer alongside his motorcycle for several metres, and absconded.
Emergency responders initially transported the injured ranger to a local medical centre before transferring him to the district hospital in Nimbahera, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Scrutiny Over Sanctuary Violations
The development was placed before the bench during proceedings in an ongoing suo motu petition examining illicit sand mining within the National Chambal Sanctuary and its impact on endangered aquatic species.
The top court had previously addressed preventive custody on July 22, maintaining that preventive detention orders ought to be issued against individuals facilitating illicit sand extraction in and around the sanctuary. The bench remarked at the time that those depleting natural resources deserved no leniency.
Directives Target Organised Networks
On May 26, the apex court issued an array of directions to implement statutory and environmental safeguards across regions impacted by sand extraction around the sanctuary.
Those orders directed Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh to immediately strengthen frontline field enforcement within their forest departments by filling vacant posts for guards and enforcement personnel. The court also ordered continuous, coordinated operations against vehicles and heavy machinery operating in the affected zones.
Additionally, the bench mandated that criminal proceedings must not remain confined to drivers caught operating equipment, directing law enforcement agencies to prosecute owners, contractors, financiers, operators, and any other individuals connected to organised mining syndicates.
The National Chambal Sanctuary covers a 5,400-square-kilometre tri-state reserve along the Chambal River near the intersection of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Established as a protected zone in Madhya Pradesh in 1978 and co-administered by all three states, the eco-reserve serves as critical habitat for the endangered gharial, the Ganges river dolphin, and the red-crowned roof turtle.
