Court orders compensation in illegal mine death
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 29: The High Court of Meghalaya has expressed serious concern over lapses in the investigation of illegal coal mining activities in the state, even as it ordered payment of compensation to the family of a deceased mine worker.
During the hearing of a PIL on April 27, the court took note of the Thirty-Seventh Interim Report of the Justice (retd) BP Katakey-headed committee that flagged multiple instances of non-compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure 2024 and pointed to significant shortcomings in enforcement and accountability.
A division bench, comprising Justices HS Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh, noted that none of the police cases registered has been investigated properly by the investigating agency, which includes investigation into the involvement of recorded land owners in coal mining activities, or over whose land illegally mined coal and illegal coal mining activities have been found.
The court expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of accountability fixed on officials concerned as highlighted in the report, as well as the steps taken regarding the missing 4,141.83 metric tonnes of illegally mined coal.
Describing the report as “detailed and exhaustive,” the court directed the state respondents to file a comprehensive status report addressing all issues raised. A copy of the report was furnished to the state counsel for necessary action.
The court took exception to denial of compensation to the family of Mosaid Ali who died in the vicinity of an illegal coal mine in the Umthe area under Sutnga Elaka in East Jaintia Hills district.
The court said despite earlier findings by the local police and medical reports attributing the death to severe crush injuries, the Deputy Commissioner had concluded that there was no credible evidence linking the death to illegal mining activities and denied compensation to the family.
The court termed this finding “perverse” and questioned the basis on which compensation was denied, especially in light of earlier detailed reports submitted and acknowledged by the committee. It directed the Deputy Commissioner to immediately contact the victim’s family and disburse compensation of Rs 3 lakh, in line with payments made to victims of a similar coal mining accident at Thangsko.
Additionally, the court instructed authorities to gather further details regarding the deceased’s occupation and the circumstances under which he was engaged in illegal mining, including identifying those responsible for employing him.
The court further stated that other aspects mentioned in the status report—such as measures to curb illegal mining, transportation of seized coal to designated depots, utilization of funds with approval from the Oversight Committee, mine closure plans, and installation of DMR check-gates—will be reviewed after submission of the fresh status report.
The court directed that an additional remuneration of Rs 4 lakh, including secretarial expenses, be paid to Justice Katakey for his continued oversight work.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 1.
