Illegal sand mining: Orissa HC comes down heavily on Cuttack Collector for submitting false affidavit

Priya Ranjan Swain Published On : Dec 2, 2023 at 5:37 PM

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court has directed Cuttack Collector to submit a fresh affidavit with regard to illegal sand mining in the district.

The HC asked Cuttack Collector to submit the affidavit within 15 days while hearing a PIL pertaining to illegal sand mining in the district.

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The court asked the Cuttack Collector to furnish detailed information regarding illegal sand mining, transportation and consequent revenue loss in the affidavit.

The petitioner had earlier informed the court that the state government has lost revenue worth Rs 245 crore due to illegal sand mining in Cuttack district.

While hearing the case, the HC rejected an earlier affidavit filed by the Cuttack Collector. The court termed the affidavit as false and misleading.

“How could a senior government official submit a false affidavit in this case,” wondered the court.