National Green Tribunal
M J Sankar vs State Of Tamil Nadu Through Its Chief ... on 7 April, 2026
Item No.1:-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
Tuesday, the 07th day of April, 2026.
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.116 of 2024 (SZ)
[Earlier O.A. No.775 of 2023 (PB)]
IN THE MATTER OF
M.J. Sankar
No.3/1, Thirumurthy Street,
T. Nagar, Chennai - 600 017.
...Applicant(s)
Versus
1. State of Tamil Nadu
Through its Chief Secretary,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
Government Secretariat,
Fort St. George, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu - 600 009.
2. Department of Geology and Mining
Through its Directorate,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
Alandur Road, Guindy Industrial Estate,
Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
3. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board,
Through its Member Secretary,
Government of Tamil Nadu,
76, Mount Salai, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032.
4. The Collector, Krishnagiri
First Floor, Collectorate,
Krishnagiri - 635 115.
...Respondent(s)
For Applicant (s): Mr. M.J. Sankar (Party-in-Person)
For Respondent(s): Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R1, R2 & R4.
Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R3.
Judgment Reserved on: 09th March, 2026.
CORAM:
HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER
Page 1 of 8
JUDGMENT
Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member
1. The above-captioned matter was registered suo motu as Original Application No.775 of 2023 (PB) by the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, based on a complaint received through email dated 12.08.2023 from Mr. M.J. Sankar. Subsequently, the matter was transferred to the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai, where it was renumbered as Original Application No.116 of 2024 (SZ).
2. The relevant portion of the complaint, outlining the applicant's grievances, is reproduced below:
"Sub: Several thousand crores Money Laundering executed inside Krishnagir Mines buried to escape from NGT Actions and reg:
According to the Roc.No.1148/2023 Dt: received from DD Mines Krishnagiri, he failed to furnish the exact measurements taken in my own land in S.F.No.744, from 10th month of 2021 as the above mentioned both Collr and DD Mines
- Krishnagiri and had intentionally delivering various chronic reasons till date to prevent furnishing the same to safeguard illegal mining operators Tr.Murugan, Gandhi & an........! after colluding with them for a personal benefit of several lakhs is proved.
Further while perusing your below attached recent reply am shocked that there was more than 100 Granite Robbers/ illegal mining operator framed with pittance amount as fine and penalty by violating Hon'ble RMDJ's Order in M/s Karunai Granite Case were the Hon'ble Judge had directed you to recover the entire amount of transactions done in illegal mining operators as compensation for violating National GREEN TRIBUNALS ORDERS, which stands far away from your swearing taken and falls under the ambit of I.A.S., Screening COMMITTEE for your visible collusion by hiding the measurements taken in my S.F. No.744 even after your DD Mines admitted to measure a fresh and also failed to furnish same till date.
Hence I am herewith invite your kind attention to furnish the complete measurements taken recently from survey no.744 where 13cents of land and its Granite wealth uptown 200 feet being allowed to rob under your shadow unless or otherwise you are intentionally/ knowingly compelling me to approach the Hon'ble NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNALS for the loss occurred in my land as well in several Granite fields and its mammoth revenue loss to Govt of India which attract severe Money Laundering in lime light.
I am your disposal for any further clarification in the above subject and below enclosed your Office recent reply. And waiting for your urgently intervention to furnish the shielded measurements taken in my S.F.No.744."Page 2 of 8
3. Based on the above averments, the Principal Bench, New Delhi, had constituted a Joint Committee besides issuing notice to the respondents herein to verify the factual position and take appropriate remedial action. The Joint Committee, which comprised of the District Collector, Krishnagiri District, Deputy Director, Department of Geology and Mining and the District Environmental Engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, had inspected the site on 24.12.2024, before which, a communication was sent to the applicant herein by RPAD directing him also to be present during the inspection. However, the applicant, admittedly, had not attended the inspection done by the Joint Committee.
4. The Joint Committee observed that, at present, no quarrying activity was being carried out; however, an illicit quarry pit was noticed in the field. The Revenue Officials and the Deputy Director, Department of Geology and Mining, confirmed that illicit quarrying operations had been carried out in the non-lease areas, namely S.F. Nos.744/5 and 744/15 of Nagojanahalli Village, Pochampalli Taluk, Krishnagiri District. The details of the illicit quarry site, including its area, depth, volume,and the quantity of granite mined, as calculated by the Deputy Director, Department of Geology and Mining, were also furnished. Out of the total 352.285 Cu.M. of colour granite illegally quarried from S.F. No.744 (Part), a penalty had already been levied for 210.820 Cu.M. by the District Collector, Krishnagiri District, vide proceedings dated 03.11.2021. Necessary action will be taken to levy a penalty for the remaining quantity of 141.465 Cu.M.
5. The Joint Committee report further states that the District Collector, Krishnagiri, had already levied a penalty of Rs.67,03,67,169/- vide proceedings dated 03.11.2021 on one Mr. A. Anbaruvi for indulging in illicit quarrying of 17,821.470 Cu.M. of grey granite from the leasehold area in S.F. No.774, 1,447.200 Cu.M. from the non-lease area in S.F. No.774 (Part), and 210.820 Cu.M. from the non-lease area in S.F. No.744 (Part). However, no quarrying operations were found in the expired lease area, and waterlogging was observed in the quarry pit. The quarry pit in S.F. No.774 was found adjoining the subject area in S.F. No.744. The said quarry lease had been granted to A. Anbaruvi for the period Page 3 of 8 from 16.05.1995 to 15.05.2005, prior to the EIA Notification, 2006. Therefore, the Joint Committee observed that the provisions of the said notification may not be applicable. However, the Committee recommended that necessary action be taken by the competent authority to levy a penalty on A. Anbaruvi (since deceased) for the remaining quantity of 141.465 Cu.M. of grey granite illegally quarried from the non-lease areas in S.F. Nos.744/5 and 744/15, as per the details furnished by the Deputy Director, Department of Geology and Mining.
6. The District Collector, Krishnagiri and the Deputy Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Krishnagiri, filed a joint status report dated 27.10.2024. The report refers to a reply received by the applicant under the RTI Act, which pertains to 87 persons holding mining/quarry leases who carried out production and dispatch of minerals in contravention of the approved mining plan and Environmental Clearance, or in the absence thereof, during the violation period specified by the Government from 15.01.2016 to 10.01.2017. These 87 persons were issued with notices under the Revenue Recovery Act, 1884 for default in remittance. Among them, 27 persons were issued first-time notices for the same cause, including Tvl. Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited, a Government of Tamil Nadu undertaking. The demand raised towards 100% cost of minerals pertains to those produced and dispatched from leasehold areas without prior Environmental Clearance. Since the production was from the respective leasehold areas, measurement of the quarry area did not arise.
7. With regard to surface rights over S.F. No.744 of Nagojanahalli Village, Pochampalli Taluk, Krishnagiri District, the Hon'ble High Court of Madras disposed of the matter in Writ Petition No.8319 of 2024 filed by the applicant herein. The Hon'ble High Court specifically observed that "as far as the claim of the petitioner (M.J. Sankar) regarding ownership is concerned, it is for him to establish the same before the competent court of law". The report further states that S.F. No.744 is subdivided into S.F. Nos.744/1 to 744/23 and registered under Patta Nos.1893, 284, 161, 2886, 838, 839 and 2105 in the names of Kaliyappan Page 4 of 8 and six others. None of the subdivisions are registered in the name of the applicant. Therefore, the applicant's claim of ownership over S.F. No.744 is not substantiated.
8. In the subsequent status report dated 02.06.2025, in response to the queries raised by this Tribunal, it was stated that the quarrying operations had already been stopped as early as 06.01.2017. With regard to the penalty imposed and its recovery, it was stated that the lessee, A. Anbaruvi, had passed away, and necessary action would be taken under the Revenue Recovery Act, 1884 to recover the penalty from his legal heirs. Further, an amount of Rs. 25,69,995/- towards the remaining quantity of 141.465 Cu.M. of granite illegally quarried from the non-lease area in S.F. No. 744 (Part) would be recovered in addition to the already levied penalty of Rs. 67,03,67,169/-. In this regard, notice dated 03.05.2025 has already been issued to the legal heirs of the deceased.
9. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, in its report dated 25.10.2025, stated that quarrying operations in S.F. No.774 (Part) had already been stopped on 06.01.2017. Since the lease had expired, the Department of Geology and Mining informed that action would be initiated under the Revenue Recovery Act against the legal heirs of the deceased to recover the penalty amount. It was further stated that an additional amount of Rs.25,69,995/- for the remaining illegally quarried quantity in the non-lease area would also be recovered. No proceedings are pending against the unit before the TNPCB. The TNPCB reiterated the details furnished in the Joint Committee report.
10. The grievance expressed by the applicant in the complaint dated 12.08.2023 relates to the alleged loss incurred to his land, illegal mining in several granite fields, and substantial revenue loss to the Government of India, allegedly involving serious money laundering. This Tribunal took cognizance of the matter in view of the allegations of illegal mining.
Page 5 of 811. In this regard, Dr. D. Shanmuganathan, learned counsel appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu, brought to our knowledge the Writ Petition No.8319 of 2024 filed by the very same applicant before the Hon'ble High Court of Madras, seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondents therein to take action on the basis of the petitioner's representation dated 03.01.2024. The said representation dated 03.01.2024 was addressed to the Commissioner, Department of Geology and Mining, and other official respondents, raising certain allegations regarding illegal mining activities in Krishnagiri District. The applicant herein, who is also the writ petitioner in the said writ petition, had raised personal complaints against the former Deputy Director, Department of Geology and Mining, Krishnagiri. The Hon'ble High Court observed that the petitioner is involved in quarrying business in his land and that actions have been initiated against the authorities. While doing so, it was alleged that the authorities had discriminated and allowed several such illegal mining activities in the district without following due process. Before the Hon'ble High Court, it was also stated that the petitioner was not the owner of the subject land and that no valid lease had been granted in his favour for mining. However, since the issue raised in the writ petition relates to illegal mining operations in Krishnagiri District and that mining operations were carried out beyond the permissible limits and beyond the quantity permitted under the licence, the same requires investigation. The Hon'ble High Court directed an enquiry into the alleged illegal mining operations and to initiate appropriate action if the allegations are established during the investigation, and that all erring officials are liable to be prosecuted in accordance with law.
12. As far as the claim of the applicant is concerned with respect to ownership, the Hon'ble High Court of Madras has directed him to establish the same before a competent court of law. The Hon'ble High Court further directed the applicant to submit a detailed representation pointing out the irregularities, excess mining operations, violations of the Act and the Rules, connivance of officials, corrupt activities, etc. Upon receipt of such representation, the District Collector and the Commissioner, Department of Geology and Mining, along with the District Page 6 of 8 Superintendent of Police, were directed to conduct a detailed investigation under the provisions of the Act and the Rules and to take appropriate action against all persons who are responsible and accountable for illegal mining operations.
13. Along with the objections to the reports, the applicant herein also enclosed a copy of the order dated 28.02.2025 passed in Cont. Petition No.3330 of 2024, which was filed to punish the respondents therein for committing contempt of court by not complying with the order dated 15.04.2024 passed in Writ Petition No.8319 of 2024. In the said order, the Hon'ble High Court observed that the competent authorities had initiated action against the illegal mining activities and that show cause notices were yet to be issued. Since powers are conferred under the Act and the Rules, the same are required to be exercised effectively to protect the nation's wealth and prevent illegal mining activities. The said Contempt Petition No. 3330 of 2024 was adjourned for filing an action taken report by the authorities, and the contempt petition is still pending consideration.
14. From the above conspectus of the facts, it is evident that allegations of illegal and excess mining have already been taken cognizance of by the competent authorities. Penalties have been imposed by the District Collector, Krishnagiri District, and proceedings dated 04.03.2024 were issued by the Commissioner, Department of Geology and Mining. As per the said proceedings, the order dated 27.09.2022 was remanded to the District Collector for passing fresh orders after conducting a detailed inquiry into the illegal quarrying activities in S.F. No.774 (Part) and adjoining lands.
15. The Hon'ble High Court of Madras, in Writ Petition No.8319 of 2024, has already permitted the applicant to submit a detailed representation, based on which the authorities have been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation in accordance with law. The applicant has also filed Contempt Petition No.3330 of 2024, which is presently pending before the Hon'ble High Court of Madras.
Page 7 of 816. It is pertinent to note that the present suo motu proceedings were initiated based on an e-mail addressed to the District Collector and the Department of Geology and Mining, which did not contain specific details of individuals involved in illegal mining. However, such details have been furnished in the proceedings before the Hon'ble High Court.
17. Since the issues involved in the present application and the writ petition are substantially the same and as the Hon'ble High Court has already issued directions and is seized of the matter in the pending contempt petition, no separate orders are required in this application. It would be appropriate for the applicant to pursue the matter before the Hon'ble High Court. However, the authorities are directed to ensure that action against violators is brought to its logical conclusion and that all pending penalties are recovered in accordance with law.
18. With the above observations and directions, the Original Application [O.A. No.116 of 2024 (SZ)] is disposed of.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-
Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM Internet - Yes/No All India NGT Reporter - Yes/No O.A. No.116/2024 (SZ), 07th April, 2026. Mn.
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