The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought a fresh and detailed response from the Pathankot district administration over allegations of illegal mining and encroachment on Central Government land located close to the India–Pakistan international border.
The matter came up after a local farmer approached the court, claiming that large-scale mining activity was being carried out unlawfully on land that officially belongs to the Central government and is under the control of the Border Security Force (BSF).
Case In Punjab and Haryana High Court
Petition Filed by Local Farmer
The case was filed by Karan Singh, an agriculturist from Chak Kaushalya village in Pathankot district. In his petition, Singh alleged that several influential individuals had illegally occupied government land and were using it for commercial mining activities.
According to him, the disputed land lies near the Ravi riverbed, a region considered both environmentally sensitive and strategically important due to its proximity to the international border.
Allegations of Encroachment on Central Land
The petitioner told the court that land records for the year 2020–21 Jamabandi clearly show the area as Central Government property. Despite this, the land was allegedly shown as privately owned through manipulated revenue entries.
Singh further claimed that:
- The land has never been legally partitioned
- Revenue records were tampered with
Illegal possession was taken with the alleged help of local officials
A report submitted by the tehsildar reportedly supports the claim that the land remains unpartitioned, raising serious questions about the legality of current possession.
Claims of Influence and Misuse of Power
In his plea, the farmer also alleged that some of the individuals involved were relatives or associates of senior police officials, including a serving Inspector General of Police (IG).
He claimed that due to their influence, repeated complaints made to district authorities failed to bring any concrete action, allowing mining activities to continue unchecked.
Environmental Damage and Impact on Farmland
The petition highlighted significant environmental concerns arising from the alleged illegal mining, including:
- Damage to nearby agricultural land
- Falling groundwater levels
- Heavy dust pollution affecting crops
- Continuous movement of heavy vehicles
- Mining operations without valid environmental clearance
Singh stated that his farmland suffered major losses due to vibrations and soil erosion caused by stone crushers and heavy machinery operating in the area.
Court Unhappy With Earlier Response
During an earlier hearing, the High Court had asked the Pathankot Deputy Commissioner to submit a response. However, the court found the reply to be mechanical and evasive, failing to address the core issues raised in the petition.
Taking note of this, the division bench — comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor — has now directed the district administration to file a clear, reasoned and factual reply.
Next Hearing Scheduled
The High Court fixed the matter for further hearing on February 23, 2026. The court is expected to examine whether illegal mining has taken place on Central land and if administrative failures allowed the situation to continue.
Why This Case Matters
Illegal mining has emerged as a serious issue across several states, especially in border and riverbed areas where regulation is often weak. Apart from environmental damage, such activities also raise concerns related to:
- National security
- Misuse of government land
- Administrative accountability
- Safety of border infrastructure
The Pathankot case is being closely watched, as it involves land near the international border and allegations of misuse of power.