New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench in New Delhi, on Tuesday took suo motu cognisance of a blast at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya that claimed 18 lives and sought responses from the state government, the Central Pollution Control Board and other concerned authorities.
The matter was heard by a Bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, along with Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel. The Tribunal observed that the incident, reportedly triggered by a dynamite explosion at an illegally operated rat-hole coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district, raises serious concerns over the continued violation of environmental laws despite an existing ban on such mining activities.
The Bench noted that rat-hole mining in Meghalaya has been prohibited by the NGT and the ban has also been upheld by the Supreme Court. It expressed concern that such illegal operations continue unabated, resulting in loss of life and environmental damage.
The Tribunal flagged possible violations of several laws, including the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Indian Forest Act, 1927. It also took note of allegations that illegal mining activities in the region are continuing with the backing of influential individuals, despite monitoring mechanisms being in place.
Citing the Supreme Court judgment in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs Ankita Sinha and others (2021), the Tribunal decided to implead multiple authorities as respondents in the case. These include the Chief Secretary of the Government of Meghalaya, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Integrated Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at Shillong, and the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills district.
The Tribunal directed all the respondents to file their replies through affidavits. The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 19, 2026.
