Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 9: The High Court today issued notice to the Government over allowing illegal extraction of minerals at the behest of Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and District Mineral Officer.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rashid Ali Dar issued notice to Commissioner/Secretary Industries and Commerce, Deputy Commissionr Pulwama, District Mineral Officer Pulwama, Director Geology and Mining, SHO Awantipora as the counsel and senior advocate B A Bashir submitted before the bench that the illegal mining operation in the area was patronized by Deputy Commissioner Pulwama as some of his relations are involved, which was causing colossal loss to the Government for his (DCs) nefarious designs.
It is submitted that despite various requests to Deputy Commissioner to stop such kind of operation the illegal extraction of minor minerals is going on unabated in the area and no action is being taken.
It is further added that the concerned District Mineral Officer has written a complaint to SHO concerned for registration of FIR as the Government property was permitted to be looted which is a serious criminal act and needs to be investigated by an investigating agency.
It is prayed that Vigilance Organization of Kashmir be asked to file FIR against the officials who have not taken any action as also against the SHO concerned, who has failed to perform his legal obligation and allowed the Government property to be misappropriated.
“Direction be issued to Vigilance Commissioner to take up the matter and register a formal case against all concerned so that the guilty are punished”, petition read.