Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Punjab HC Seeks Response on Illegal Mining Near Border
A farmer named Karan Singh went to the Punjab and Haryana High Court because he says people are illegally taking over and mining government land near the border with Pakistan.
This land is supposed to be controlled by the Border Security Force (BSF).
The people doing this are said to be relatives of a high-ranking police officer and other important people.
The court has asked the local government official, the Deputy Commissioner of Pathankot, to explain what they are doing to stop this.
The farmer says the mining is causing big problems like land sinking, dirty air, and water shortages.
He also says he has been threatened and hurt because he spoke up.
The court will hear more about this on February 23.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court sought a detailed response from the Deputy Commissioner of Pathankot regarding alleged illegal mining and encroachment on Central Government land near the India-Pakistan border.
The petitioner, Karan Singh, alleges that the land is illegally occupied by relatives of a senior IPS officer and other influential persons.
The disputed land is recorded as Central Government property under the control of the Border Security Force (BSF) and is located in an eco-sensitive stretch of the Ravi riverbed.
The petitioner claims to have suffered severe losses due to continuous mining activity, including land subsidence, dust pollution, soil degradation, and groundwater depletion.
The High Court has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Pathankot to file a reply, with the next hearing scheduled for February 23.
- Who
- Karan Singh (petitioner), Punjab and Haryana High Court, Deputy Commissioner of Pathankot, relatives of a senior IPS officer, and influential persons (alleged encroachers)
- What
- Alleged illegal mining and encroachment on Central Government land near the India-Pakistan border
- When
- The case is scheduled for the next hearing on February 23
- Where
- Pathankot, near the India-Pakistan border, specifically in the Chak Kaushalya village under Narot Jaimal Singh tehsil
- Why
- To curb alleged illegal mining and encroachment on Central Government land and to address the environmental and safety concerns raised by the petitioner
- Location
- Pathankot, near India-Pakistan border
- Petitioner
- Karan Singh, agriculturist
- Land Status
- Central Government property, under BSF control
- Alleged Encroachers
- Relatives of senior IPS officer and influential persons
- Next Hearing
- February 23
- Environmental Impact
- Land subsidence, dust pollution, soil degradation, groundwater depletion
- Authorities Involved
- Punjab and Haryana High Court, Deputy Commissioner of Pathankot, BSF, National Green Tribunal