Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Urges Mandatory Detention in Illegal Mining Cases
The Supreme Court discussed illegal mining after a forest ranger died in Rajasthan.
The ranger was reportedly trying to stop a dumper carrying soil.
The dumper allegedly hit him and then drove away.
The court said people involved in illegal mining may need to be detained before more harm happens.
It asked Rajasthan officials to return with a response.
The case is connected to protecting the National Chambal Sanctuary.
The sanctuary is home to endangered animals such as gharials, turtles and river dolphins.
The court will consider the matter again on October 6.
The Supreme Court called for mandatory preventive detention in illegal mining cases after a forest ranger died in Rajasthan.
Forest ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat was allegedly hit and dragged by a dumper while investigating illegal mining.
The court asked Rajasthan to prepare a response and listed the matter for October 6.
The hearing took place in a suo motu case concerning illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary.
The court had earlier directed preventive detention and environmental safeguards around the sanctuary.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Rajasthan authorities, forest officials and people allegedly involved in illegal mining.
- What
- The court called for mandatory preventive detention in illegal mining cases after the alleged death of forest ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat.
- When
- The hearing was held on Wednesday; the matter is listed for October 6. The ranger was injured late on Monday and later died during treatment.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the Chhoti Sadri forest area of Rajasthan, while the legal case concerns the National Chambal Sanctuary.
- Why
- The court was responding to concerns about illegal mining, threats to protected wildlife and the alleged killing of a forest ranger by a dumper.
- Case
- In Re: Illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and threat to endangered aquatic wildlife
- Court direction
- The Supreme Court called for mandatory preventive detention in illegal mining cases.
- Victim
- Forest ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat
- Incident
- A dumper allegedly hit and dragged Chundawat and his motorcycle before fleeing.
- Next hearing
- October 6
- Sanctuary size
- 5,400 square kilometres
- Protected wildlife
- Gharial, red-crowned roofed turtle and Ganges river dolphin