Supreme Court threatens CBI inquiry into Rajasthan's illegal sand mining

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed serious displeasure with the Rajasthan government's approach to illegal sand mining, particularly the regularisation of unauthorised extraction operations along the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system. The bench warned that continued non-compliance with court orders and environmental regulations would leave it no option but to initiate a CBI investigation into the matter.

The court's rebuke underscores growing judicial concern over sand mining violations in the state, which have raised environmental and ecological concerns in recent years. Sand mining, if conducted without proper authorisation and environmental safeguards, can damage river ecosystems, cause soil erosion, and impact water resources in affected regions.

The warning marks an escalation in the court's intervention, signalling that the state government and its officials must take immediate corrective action to address illegal mining activities. The bench's reference to a potential CBI probe carries significant implications, as it would shift oversight of the matter to the federal investigating agency.

The Supreme Court has been seized of sand mining issues across multiple states, with repeated directives aimed at curbing unauthorised extraction and ensuring compliance with environmental norms. The Rajasthan case adds to a broader pattern of judicial scrutiny regarding natural resource management and regulatory lapses in mineral extraction.