Chandigarh. A two‑judge bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the Punjab administration to act swiftly against alleged illegal mining uncovered at approximately 233 locations across the districts of Pathankot and Gurdaspur.
Court Issues Urgent Directive
The order was delivered by a bench headed by Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, who were hearing multiple petitions alleging extensive mining infractions in the two districts. The judgment relied on a Survey of India report dated 3 July 2026, which listed the 233 suspected sites.
Four‑Week Compliance Window
State officials have been handed a strict four‑week period to examine the report, identify the parties responsible, and launch appropriate enforcement actions. The court warned that any failure to comply could result in the investigation being handed over to an independent agency, and officials who ignore the order may be held personally accountable.
A comprehensive report on the steps taken must be filed before the next scheduled hearing.
Mining Director’s Affidavit Still Pending
During the hearing, the bench noted that the Director of Mining for Punjab had not yet submitted the affidavit previously directed by the court. Consequently, the judges ordered the affidavit to be filed within 48 hours, with a copy to be forwarded to the petitioners’ counsel in advance.
The matter is slated for further consideration on 16 November 2026, when the court will review the state’s compliance and any measures implemented by the relevant authorities.
