Punjab and Haryana HC seeks Pathankot DC’s response on alleged illegal mining on Central government land near India-Pakistan border

Petitioner’s counsel Advocate Vivek K Thakur, said, “The Hon’ble court today (Monday) said that it cannot shut its eyes with regard to the illegal occupation of government land by the authorities and has sought a detailed response on it from the Deputy Commissioner, Pathankot.” The case is now scheduled for the next hearing on February 23.

According to the petition, the disputed land falls within Khewat No. 1 and is recorded in the Jamabandi for the year 2020-21 as Central Government property, under the operational control of the Border Security Force (BSF). The petitioner contends that the land is located in an eco-sensitive stretch of the Ravi riverbed and lies within a strategically significant border zone, where private occupation and commercial exploitation are legally prohibited.

The petitioner has alleged that, despite the land’s restricted status, influential private individuals – described as relatives and associates of senior police officers, including a serving Inspector General of Police Paramraj Singh Umaranangal – have illegally encroached upon large portions of the land. It is further alleged that these individuals, in collusion with certain revenue officials and stone-crusher operators, have orchestrated fraudulent girdawari entries and manipulated revenue records to show private possession over unpartitioned government land.

The writ petition points out that a report submitted by the tehsildar himself records that the land in question remains unpartitioned, rendering the very entry of girdawari is legally untenable under revenue law.

‘Suffered severe losses’

The petitioner, Karan Singh, whose agricultural land abuts the disputed Central government land, has claimed to have suffered severe losses due to continuous mining activity. The petition cites land subsidence, dust pollution, soil degradation, and depletion of groundwater as direct consequences of unregulated stone crushing and mining operations. The petitioner has also alleged that heavy machinery has been operating without environmental clearances, licences, or lawful authority.

The petitioner has stated that he has approached multiple authorities, including the district administration, police officials, and environmental regulators, and has also moved the National Green Tribunal seeking intervention to halt the mining activity. The petition further alleges that these efforts were met with retaliation, including threats, physical assaults, intimidation, surveillance, and false criminal implication, compelling him to seek protection of his life and liberty.

Earlier, in a previous writ petition, the high court had directed the Deputy Commissioner, Pathankot, to examine the petitioner’s detailed representation and pass a reasoned and speaking order. However, the petitioner has challenged the Deputy Commissioner’s order dated October 14, 2025, terming it mechanical and evasive. The petition alleges that the order fails to address the core issues of illegal encroachment, fraudulent revenue entries, ongoing mining activity, and threats to the petitioner’s safety.

Taking note of the seriousness of the allegations, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has now directed the deputy commissioner of Pathankot to file a reply. The petitioner had also sought a high-level, independent inquiry by an authority not subordinate to the local administration, citing the alleged involvement of relatives of senior police officers and the failure of district authorities to act decisively.