HC seeks explanation from Karur Collector

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought an explanation from the Karur Collector regarding the contradictions in the reports filed to the suo motu proceedings initiated to take necessary steps to protect Amaravathi river in Karur district.

A Division Bench of Justices G. R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi sought an explanation from the Karur Collector after an earlier report said that a total of 191 vehicles and 31 bullock carts had been seized for illegal transportation of river sand and other minerals and a total of 148 criminal cases had been registered.

However, a subsequent report said that a total of 130 vehicles had been seized and a total of 91 cases had been registered.

The Register (Judicial) of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had sought a direction to the State government to remove the encroachment made on the river bed/bunds, to initiate action for prevention of illegal mining or quarrying of minor minerals, take penal action against illegal mining and transportation of sand and other minerals and take appropriate action against the district level officers for failure to prevent illegal mining and destruction of river bunds.