860 FIRs registered, Rs 10 crore penalty imposed in Haryana’s ‘biggest crackdown’ on illegal mining

Divulging details on the crackdown, Amitabh Singh Dhillon, chief of Haryana State Enforcement Bureau, said, “During the period from January 1 to July 10, 2025, a significant increase in enforcement has been recorded compared to 2024. While a total of 3,039 mining sites were inspected in 2024, this number has reached 3,733 in 2025 so far.”

“Similarly, while 684 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered in 2024, this figure has risen to 860 in the first six months of 2025. Improvement has also been observed in FIR disposal. In 2024, as many as 329 cases were disposed of, while in 2025, the number has already reached 445,” he added.

Shatrujeet Kapur, Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, said illegal mining poses a serious challenge to the state’s natural heritage, ecological balance, and law and order. “The police department and the enforcement bureau are working in coordination, and timely action is being ensured in every district. All commissioners and superintendents of police have been directed to exercise zero leniency in cases related to illegal mining and to take strict legal action against offenders,” he stated.

“In our ongoing crackdown against the mining mafia, 626 individuals were arrested in 2024, whereas in 2025, this number has risen to 754. Likewise, 945 vehicles used in mining operations were seized in 2024, while 1,186 vehicles have been seized so far in 2025. This clearly indicates that the enforcement mechanism has delivered a decisive blow to the logistical system associated with illegal mining,” Dhillon said.

Explaining that the penalties imposed so far this year – Rs 10.69 crore, which is 57 per cent more than the penalty amount of Rs 6.78 crore imposed in 2024 – Dhillon said, “This action has not only succeeded in exerting strong financial pressure on mining mafias but has also proved to be a significant achievement from the perspective of revenue augmentation for the state government.”

Elaborating on the methods to prevent illegal mining, Dhillon said, “The Enforcement Bureau has strengthened its technology-based monitoring system. Measures such as GPS tracking, drone survey, and the formation of special raid teams are ensuring not only the prevention of illegal mining attempts but also the swift arrest of offenders. It is the priority of the Haryana Government that the utilisation of natural resources in the state takes place within legal and environmental boundaries.”

DGP Kapur said the state enforcement bureau launched the campaign against illegal mining under the clear directives of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. “Acting actively across the state under the visionary leadership and strict instructions of the chief minister, the bureau has achieved significant success in establishing effective control over illegal mining.”