Supreme Court Impleads NHAI In Case On Rampant Illegal Sand Mining In National Chambal Sanctuary

The Supreme Court, today, has taken a serious view of the persistent illegal sand mining within the National Chambal Sanctuary, reprimanding the Rajasthan state authorities for their failure to curb the activity.

The Court has impleaded the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the matter, asked the authorities from the Mines Department and the Transport and Road Safety Department, State of Rajasthan, to file a compliance affidavit and be present in the court on the next date of hearing.

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Vijay Bishnoi ordered, "It is expedient to pass the following directions: The Additional Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary of the Mines Department, and the Principal Secretary of the Transport and Road Safety Department, State of Rajasthan, are directed to remain personally present before this Court on the next date of hearing. The aforesaid officers shall also file comprehensive and mutual compliance affidavits, placing on record the steps undertaken in furtherance of the directions issued by this Court in the orders dated 2nd April 2026 and 17th April 2026, as well as the present order, together with the timelines within which the remaining measures proposed to be undertaken shall be fully implemented.

The instant suo motu Writ Petition (WP) came to be registered based on certain news reports pertaining to rampant illegal mining on the sand banks of the Chambal River, thereby destroying the habitats of the protected species of Gharial. The news reports give a vivid description of the destruction of the habitat of various aquatic animals in addition to that of Gharials. Further, the news reports also refer to the de-notification of 732 hectares from the National Chambal Sanctuary by the State of Rajasthan as part of a boundary rationalization exercise.

On April 17, 2026, the Court laid down a rigorous legal and operational framework to tackle organized illegal mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary. The Court directed State Pollution Control Boards to recover environmental compensation from violators for ecological restoration.

The Court also ordered, "The Principal Secretary of the Transport and Road Safety Department, State of Madhya Pradesh, is also directed to remain personally present before this Court on the next date of hearing along with a detailed affidavit specifically addressing the concerns noted hereinabove in paragraphs 9 and 10 of the present order. The affidavit shall entirely disclose the enforcement measures undertaken to identify and prevent the operation of unregistered and unidentified vehicles involved in mining and transportation activities; the steps taken to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules; the action initiated against erring officials and violators, if any; and the further corrective and preventive measures proposed to be implemented within a definite timeline. The NHAI is directed to be impleaded as a party respondent in the present proceedings."

The NHAI is required to submit a comprehensive affidavit addressing: 1. The impact of nearby illegal mining on bridge integrity and measures taken to protect these structures. 2. Justification as to why a CCTV monitoring network should not be established on and around bridges to track illegal mining and transportation in real-time.

It further added, "The NHAI shall file a detailed affidavit by the next date of hearing, specifically indicating the measures undertaken or proposed to be undertaken for safeguarding the structural integrity and security of the bridge in light of the continuing illegal mining activities in its vicinity. The affidavit shall also indicate why this Court should not direct the NHAI to install appropriate CCTV surveillance and monitoring mechanisms on and around the said bridge so as to ensure effective real-time monitoring of illegal mining and transportation activities. The NHAI, having been impleaded as a party in the present proceedings, is directed to forthwith communicate a copy of this order as well as the order dated 17th April to the learned Standing Counsel representing the said authority. List on 19th May."

The Court had also established a standard of personal accountability for officials, warning that any negligence would be met with contempt proceedings, while reserving the right to deploy the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) should the administrative authorities continue to "drag their feet" against the mining mafia.

Previously, the Court reserved its orders in the present matter. The Court, on April 2, 2026, granted an interim stay on a December 2025 notification by the State of Rajasthan that sought to denotify 732 hectares of sanctuary land for boundary rationalization.

The Court had also slammed the State of Madhya Pradesh for inaction in the death of a forest guard. The Court had suggested putting high-resolution cameras and a GPS monitor tracking system on all the vehicles, including loaders, tippers, excavators, etc.

On March 20, the Court remarked that the officials of departments of Forest, Mining, and Water Resources, as well as the police authorities of the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, by their lethargy and inaction, would be liable to be held vicariously liable for aiding and abetting the destruction of these precious habitats by allowing illegal sand mining to continue at the National Chambal Sanctuary.

According to reports, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released 10 gharials into the Chambal River at the sanctuary in Morena in February last year.

The National Chambal Sanctuary, also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400 sq km tri-state protected area. Besides the endangered gharial, it is home to the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges river dolphin.

Located on the Chambal river near the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the sanctuary was first declared a protected area in Madhya Pradesh in 1978 and now constitutes a long, narrow eco-reserve co-administered by the three states.

Accordingly, the matter is now on 19th May for further consideration.

Cause Title: In Re: Illegal Sand Mining In The National Chambal Sanctuary And Threat To Endangered Aquatic Wildlife [SMW(C) No. 2/2026 Diary No. 15656/2026]