Archive · 31 Jul 2026
NGT Criticizes Delay in Jharkhand Mining Probe
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a court that looks after the environment.
It said that the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) was slow to check if illegal mining was happening in Sahibganj district.
The JSPCB said no illegal mining was happening, but the NGT thinks they didn’t look closely enough.
The NGT wants the JSPCB to give a detailed answer about the mining during the time the complaints were made.
If the JSPCB doesn’t answer in four weeks, the district official will have to come to the tribunal.
The case will be heard again on September 3.
NGT Eastern Zone Bench flagged delays in Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board’s investigation of illegal mining in Sahibganj district.
JSPCB’s counter affidavit, based on a July 17 inspection, denied illegal mining allegations and use of heavy machinery.
Tribunal questioned why the inspection was not conducted immediately after May 18 notices, before the monsoon.
NGT directed JSPCB to file a detailed response on illegal mining during the cited period and gave the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner four weeks to submit records.
If no response, the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner must appear before the tribunal, physically or via video, and the case is scheduled for further hearing on September 3.
- Who
- National Green Tribunal, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner of Sahibganj
- What
- Investigation into alleged illegal mining and use of heavy machinery in Sahibganj district
- When
- May 18, 2026 (notice), July 17, 2026 (inspection), September 3, 2026 (next hearing)
- Where
- Sahibganj district, Jharkhand, India
- Why
- Tribunal concerned about delayed inspection and inadequate response to mining allegations
- Tribunal
- National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench)
- Board
- Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board
- District
- Sahibganj district
- Notice date
- May 18, 2026
- Inspection date
- July 17, 2026
- Next hearing
- September 3, 2026