Top Legal Developments This Week [27 April—3 May 2026] | Rats Eat Bribe Cash, Ranveer Singh Sent to Temple, FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Blocked; and more
A quick roundup to cover all the important legal developments and cases this week.
illegal mining
Supreme Court directs Centre to prepare Sustainable Mining Plan for Aravali Range; no new mining leases to be granted until plan is finalized
Aravali Hills and Ranges is an area comprising significant biodiversity. The Range also act as a green barrier thereby preventing desertification in the Indo-Gangetic plains, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh.
‘Humanity has suffered enough environmental damage’; Punjab and Haryana HC rejects anticipatory bail plea of man accused of illegal mining at Satluj River
The Court held that the offence of illegal mining in rivers needed to be taken seriously despite less punishment prescribed under law.
Supreme Court appoints Committee to address concerns regarding Critical Tiger Habitat in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
The applicant had raised concerns related to excess crowds at Trinetra Ganesh Temple; illegal mining and commercial constructions and lack of conservation, thereby affecting the delicate ecology of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Rajasthan High Court dismisses plea to quash FIRs or consolidate investigation against Ex-MLA Pramod Jain Bhaya
“The law requires that for an allegation of malafide to be sustained, it must be pleaded with specificity and supported by material facts. In the absence of mens rea, or a demonstrable element of ill-intention, such a prayer cannot be entertained.”
HIGH COURT FEBRUARY 2025 WEEKLY ROUNDUP | Stories on Marital Rape; Peter England’s Trade mark; Maggie; MP Abdul Rashid’s parole; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
NGT constitutes joint committee to submit report on Illegal mining in Arawali, Sikar
The National Green Tribunal constituted a Joint Committee comprising one representative from the District Magistrate, Sikar (Rajasthan) and one representative from the State Pollution Control Board, Rajasthan.
Gauhati HC asks to be apprised of the steps taken by Assam Govt towards protection of Ahom dynasty era monuments from illegal encroachment
In the instant PIL where the central issue was regarding illegal mining in Digboi forest, the Court also took note of the fact that the illegal activities are also destroying heritage sites associated with Ahom dynasty.
State cannot escape liability for violation of environmental norms; NGT grants Compensation of Rs. 20 lakhs to successor of deceased
National Green Tribunal said that the State has to take precautions to prevent such incidents in future, apart from paying compensation with liberty to recover the same from the entity.
State cannot escape liability for violation of environmental norms and negligence by its authorities; responsible to compensate the victims of illegal mining: NGT
NGT said that though basic liability is of violator of law, where law violator is not made to pay compensation, the State is liable to pay compensation as per its duty as a welfare State
[Non-supply of Inspection Report] Allahabad High Court declares State Government order, cancelling mining lease as arbitrary
Allahabad High Court said that the proceedings against the petitioner based only on inspection report is arbitrary.
PILs against Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren ‘bald allegations’ & ‘abuse of process of court’; High Court should have dismissed the PILs at the very threshold: SC
Supreme Court: The 3-judge bench of UU Lalit, CJ and S. Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia*, JJ has set aside the order
Mining Tycoon G. Janardhan Reddy to remain out of Karnataka’s Bellary, 2 AP Districts after Nov 7 till conclusion of trial; Trial to be concluded within 6 months ‘without fail’: SC
Supreme Court: The bench of MR Shah* and Krishna Murari has allowed mining baron G. Janardhan Reddy to stay at Bellary upto
Illegal Coal Mining| Supreme Court stays Meghalaya HC’s order directing dismantling of existing coke plants
Supreme Court: In a case concerning illegal coal mining in the State of Meghalaya, the Vacation Bench comprising Surya Kant and J.B.
‘Irregularity in cognizance order does not vitiate trial’; SC finds no “failure of justice” in cognizance by Special Judge in Karnataka iron ore illegal mining case
“For vitiating the proceedings, something more than a mere lack of authority has to be established.”
SC allows sand mining in Bihar; says total ban gives rise to illegal mining; causes huge loss to public exchequer
“When legal mining is banned, it gives rise to mushroom growth of illegal mining, resulting into clashes between sand mafias, criminalization and at times, loss of human lives.”
NGT | Forest Guard mowed down by mining mafia in Sariska: Tribunal asks authorities to take further remedial measures to enforce law of land || State PCB to follow Polluter Pays Principle for illegal mining activities
National Green Tribunal (NGT): The Coram of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel (Chairperson) and Justice Sudhir Agarwal, Justice Brijesh Sethi (Judicial Members) and
Why did Madras HC Judge refuse to recuse from an Illegal Mining Case? Read an all-inclusive report
Madras High Court: B. Pugalendhi, J., while refusing to recuse from the present case reminded himself of the harsh criticism of Justice V.R.
SC directs Meghalaya Govt to transfer Rs 100 Crore from MEPR Fund to CPCB for illegal coal mining [Full Report]
Supreme Court: “Natural resources of the country are not meant to be consumed only by the present generation of men or women
Guj HC | Authorities obliged to release vehicle seized for illegal mining, if alleged owner is ready to comply with the conditions
Gujarat High Court: A.Y. Kogje, J. passed an order of release of a vehicle involved in transporting mineral / illegal mining after