The Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed a portion of a single judge’s order of a CBI probe into the alleged illegal sand quarrying in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts.
A Division Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice R.K. Agrawal and Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, passed the interim order on an appeal filed by the State government.
The single judge passed the order on September 19 on a writ petition filed by the Poonamallee Circle, River and Lorry Owners Association, Tiruvallur Central District.
The petitioner sought a direction to the Collectors of the two districts to take appropriate action against one M. Palanisamy of Coimbatore and his men for allegedly selling river sand by setting up stockyard without obtaining a dealer licence.
In the appeal, the Industries Secretary and others said the single judge had ordered a CBI enquiry without there being any compelling or circumstances or any material records which warranted the same.
There was no finding regarding the failure or deficiency on the part of the government, including the police department. In fact, the writ petitioner had never brought allegations of illegal quarrying or stocking to the knowledge of the law enforcement authorities.
In its order, the Bench posted the matter for October 23.
It ordered that a portion of the single judge’s order of CBI investigation was being stayed.
The Bench directed the Chief Secretary to file a detailed Action Taken Report on the allegations, facts and events mentioned by the single judge in the impugned order.
