HC asks Punjab DGP to issue instructions to ensure secrecy during raids on illegal miners
Pointing out that the accused escaped the spot during raids by police in almost all cases, the court indicated leakage of information and directed DGP to issue appropriate instructions for taking of appropriate measures for conducting such raids with requisite secrecy.
In the suit filed before the Civil Judge, Mathura, the plaintiffs said that “every inch of land”, measuring 13.37 acres, “of Katra Keshav Dev (as the place is known historically) is sacred for devotees of Lord Shree Krishna and (the) Hindu community”.
Finding it a strange coincidence that the offenders in almost all cases under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957, manage to flee from spot at time of the raid, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, while indicating it could be leakage of information regarding the raid by some police official, has directed the Punjab DGP to issue appropriate instructions for taking of appropriate measures for conducting such raids with requisite secrecy.
The order was passed by the bench of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, while hearing the anticipatory bail plea of Bittu Ram, who has been arrested under Section 379 of the IPC, 1860 (for short ‘the IPC’) and Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957 at police station Koom Kalan, Ludhiana.
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As per Punjab Police, on August 25, 2020, the police party headed by ASI Kamaljit Singh received secret information that Bittu Ram after doing illegal mining near the river bridge used to sell sand at a higher rate in the city and if a raid be conducted, the accused could be apprehended on the spot. On the basis of the said information, the police party conducted raid and one tractor trolley was seen coming from the side of village Mand Chota. On seeing the police party, the driver of the tractor trolley fled leaving behind the tractor trolley filled with sand.
The counsel for Bittu Ram, advocate Ferry Sofat, argued before the HC bench that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the case on the basis of alleged secret information and no offence under Section 379 of the IPC is made out. The petitioner is ready to join the investigation and his custodial interrogation is not necessary for effecting any recovery, argued Advocate Sofat.
The HC after hearing the matter, issued notice to Punjab, and adjourned the matter for on October 27, 2020.
The bench, meanwhile, directed petitioner to join the investigation as and when called upon to do so. The bench, however, pointed out the accused escaping the spot during raids by police in almost all cases. It held, “This coincidence in all such cases is very strange and is suggestive of either leakage of information regarding the raid to the offender by some police officer/official or manipulation of record by the police officers/officials conducting the raid who allow the offenders to escape or inefficiency of the raiding police officers/officials in suffering escape of the offenders despite their empowerment by law to use reasonable force for preventing such escape.”
The bench further stated that, “In any of the above referred eventuality remedial measures are required to be taken for ensuring efficient administration of criminal justice by arrest of the offenders on the spot in case of such raids. Further, in such cases, the police officers/officials are also expected to use audio video electronic means including still/video cameras which are readily available as part of the smart phones possessed even by the police officers/officials but such audio video electronic means are not deliberately used for some ulterior motive/extraneous considerations.”
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The HC thus directed the DGP Punjab to issue appropriate instructions for taking of appropriate remedial measures for conducting of such raids with requisite secrecy to prevent escape of offenders in such cases.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
