New Delhi: The eastern zone bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Kolkata has directed the Pakur deputy commissioner to file a detailed response to allegations that three to five labourers died in illegal mining operations at Kanupur mines.The direction was issued on Oct 9 while hearing the original application, Bablu Hussain vs state of Jharkhand and others. The bench comprised judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert members A Senthil Vel and Ishwar Singh.The tribunal asked the DC to clarify whether the reported deaths occurred at Kanupur mines, whether compensation was paid to the dependants of the deceased, whether an inquiry was conducted and whether an FIR was registered. He was also directed to address all other relevant factual aspects.The case originated from a letter petition alleging large-scale illegal stone mining and environmental damage in Pakur district. On Aug 5, the tribunal constituted a joint committee comprising representatives of the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) and the district administration to verify the allegations and recommend remedial action.The committee was directed to visit the site, examine the grievances, associate the applicant and the concerned project proponent, and submit its findings. JSPCB was appointed the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.During the Oct 9 hearing, the tribunal noted that the committee had not submitted its report and granted it another month to do so. It cautioned that, in case of non-compliance, the DC would have to appear before the tribunal, physically or through video conferencing, to explain the delay and record his statement on oath.The application alleges that illegal stone mining was carried out across around 9.71 acres along the Jharkhand-West Bengal border. It refers to a joint inspection conducted on Dec 2, 2025, and alleges that four to five labourers were buried under loose overburden at the site on March 15. The matter will be heard next on Nov 18.
