Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has directed the Cabinet Secretariat and the Vigilance Department to take a decision within four weeks on a letter sent by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) seeking permission for a preliminary inquiry against eight mining lease holders.
Court Issues Time-Bound Direction
The order was passed by the bench of Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay during the hearing of a petition demanding registration of an FIR against the lease holders. The court instructed the Principal Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat and Vigilance Department to act on the ACB’s letter dated September 2, 2025, within the stipulated time.
Allegations Of Forgery And Illegal Clearance
The petitioner alleged that the mining lease holders had fraudulently obtained environmental clearance by forging certificates issued by the District Mining Officer of Pakur. It was also claimed that officials of the Jharkhand State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority were involved in the irregularities.
State Informs Leases Already Cancelled
During the hearing, the state government informed the court that all eight mining leases in question have already been cancelled. It was further stated that the Additional Superintendent of Police, ACB, had sought permission for a preliminary inquiry through letter number 582 dated September 2, 2025.
Further Action Hinges On Inquiry Approval
The court observed that any further legal action would depend on the approval of the preliminary inquiry. Considering this, it disposed of the petition with a direction to the concerned authorities to take a decision on the pending request within four weeks.
