Business · India Bureau
NGT mandates FIR registration for mineral theft cases
India's National Green Tribunal has ruled that police and mining authorities are legally bound to register First Information Reports for cases involving theft of state-owned minerals. The directive clarifies that payment of penalties does not exempt offenders from criminal prosecution.
LSN India ·
The National Green Tribunal has issued a binding directive requiring law enforcement and mining officials to register criminal cases whenever state-owned minerals are stolen, establishing that financial settlements cannot substitute for criminal accountability.
In its ruling, the tribunal emphasized the distinction between civil and criminal remedies in cases of mineral theft. While penalties and compensation payments may satisfy financial liabilities to the state, they cannot bar or replace criminal investigation and prosecution under applicable laws.
The order addresses a significant gap in enforcement where mining authorities have previously allowed financial settlements to conclude matters without involving police in criminal proceedings. The NGT's directive aims to strengthen deterrence against mineral theft and ensure consistent legal accountability across jurisdictions.
The ruling applies to all categories of mineral theft from state-owned resources and mandates that both police departments and mining regulatory authorities coordinate in registering FIRs whenever theft is reported or detected. Officials who fail to comply with the directive may face legal consequences for dereliction of duty.