Shillong: In a significant development, the Meghalaya High Court has directed the state’s Chief Secretary to conduct a thorough review of allegations concerning illegal limestone mining by Amrit Cement Industries Limited in the Jaintia Hills. The directive, issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh on July 24, stems from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Ranjit Chandra Goswami.
The case has drawn considerable attention due to a clear divergence between the petitioner’s claims and the state authorities’ initial findings. The controversy began gaining traction when the PIL was admitted on February 19, 2025. Following this, the court had asked the state government for a detailed report on the mining activities. However, when the matter was heard on May 8, 2025, the state’s report concluded that “there was no illegal mining by the respondent No.9,” which is Amrit Cement Industries Limited.
This finding was strongly contested by the petitioner, who was subsequently granted permission by the court to file a rejoinder affidavit, reaffirming his original allegations. Amrit Cement Industries Limited has now been given time until August 28, 2025, to submit its counter-response to these renewed claims.
A key aspect that elevates the significance of this case is the involvement of senior state officials, including those from the Forest Department, in the preparation and signing of the government’s initial report. The court specifically noted that the report “has been prepared and signed by senior officials in its administration, including the Forest department.” This fact appears to have influenced the court’s decision to seek a higher-level review.
Recognising the seriousness of the accusations and the imperative for a meticulous examination, the bench has taken an unusual step. It has directed that all pertinent documents—including the government report, the petitioner’s rejoinder affidavit, and the company’s forthcoming response—be placed directly before the Chief Secretary. The Chief Secretary’s role will be to then instruct the state’s legal counsel on the submissions to be presented before the court, which will ultimately form the foundation for the final judicial determination.
The next hearing for this case is scheduled for August 1, 2025, where the court expects to receive comprehensive submissions from all involved parties. Legal experts are viewing this directive as particularly crucial, especially given the environmental sensitivities surrounding mining operations in Meghalaya’s ecologically delicate regions. The Jaintia Hills area, in particular, has been a focal point for various environmental concerns in recent years, making any allegations of illegal mining a matter of significant public interest and scrutiny.
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