'State Govts Failed' : Supreme Court Slams Rajasthan, MP Over Sand Mafia Rampage In Chambal Sanctuary

The Supreme Court came down heavily upon the state of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh over the illegal digging near a bridge by the 'sand mining mafia' in the Chambal Sanctuary. 

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was dealing with the suo motu case taken up over illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and the threat to endangered aquatic wildlife, including gharials.

During the hearing, the bench referred to the recent report of a forest guard being run over by a tractor, allegedly carring illegally mined sand.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, for the MP Government, informed that a high-ranking officer could submit a report on this incident. 

The ASG further submitted that with regard to the digging done near a bridge, a fact-finding committee has been constituted. 

Taking a stern view of the matter, Justice Mehta said, "They will give the report after the bridge has fallen down? People have died?"

ASG replied that the report would be given in 1 week. 

Justice Mehta remarked why the state allowed the digging to happen in the first place? 

"Why did the state allow? Are the officials of the state blind? 

Justice Mehta emphasised how the mafia was targeting the state officials. 

" The photographs are self-explanatory Mr Raju, it is happening under your nose. The amicus pointed out that you do not have weapons. Why, at all is the state government existing?" 

He further added, "These excavators and bulldozers ...they are very secular, they do not see the caste of the person they are killing ....it is extremely sad state of affairs, the state governments have totally failed or rather they are in connivance.....its absolutely shocking that the foundations of a bridge can be dug up and the states are just lying with their eyes closed." 

Senior Advocate Nikhil Goel, the amicus curiae in the matter, submitted that the bridge in the Chambal sanctuary connecting the two states, Rajasthan and MP, has 34 pillars, out of which sand near 8 pillars have been dug up. 

He stressed that sand up to 25-50 feet has been taken out underneath the pillars. Cautioning the public about the disaster it could create, Goel added that 5,000 people pass the bridge daily on average. 

The bench has reserved the present issue for orders. It is scheduled to deliver the order on April 17 as per the updated case status. 

Previously, the Court stayed the notification by the Rajasthan Government, which de-notified 732 hectares of the National Chambal Sanctuary without taking prior approval of the Court. The bench expressed that the State "could not have done it on their own."

Case Title: IN RE: ILLEGAL SAND MINING IN THE NATIONAL CHAMBAL SANCTUARY AND THREAT TO ENDANGERED AQUATIC WILDLIFE Versus, SMW(C) No. 2/2026