Illegal Coke Plants: Meghalaya High Court Directs DGP To File Action Taken Report

The Meghalaya High Court has issued fresh directions asking the state police to take immediate and decisive action against the illegal coke plants operating in the region. The court's order came in response to an affidavit filed by the Director-General of Police, highlighting the widespread presence of illicit coke plants and benami transactions in Meghalaya, with their actual owners predominantly based in Assam.

The court, while taking note of the petitioners' claim that the kingpins behind these illegal operations are openly moving around in Guwahati, emphasized the urgent need for law enforcement agencies to apprehend these individuals swiftly. The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justices HS Thangkhiew and W. Diengdoh expressed hope that the State police will take necessary measures in accordance with the law, aiming for expeditious actions against the culprits involved in running the unlawful businesses.

"A further report may be filed by the DGP when the matter appears next three weeks hence", the bench asked.

Highlighting Justice Katakey's 14th interim report which has further substantiated the existence of thriving coke oven and ferro alloy plants in various districts of Meghalaya, the bench noted that according to the report, the East Jaintia Hills alone house 13 operational coke oven plants, while an additional 38 coke oven plants remain inactive. In other districts such as West Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, and West Khasi Hills, several coke oven plants have been found to be operating without authorization, the court recorded.

Moreover, the report highlighted the presence of seven functioning ferro alloy plants in the region. While Ri-Bhoi district currently has no coke oven plants, it revealed that five out of a total number of plants listed in paragraph 8 lack proper permissions to operate.

Expressing concern over the state's apparent knowledge of these illegal activities and its failure to curb them, the High Court ordered the Director-General of Police to address this issue specifically in the upcoming report, referring to Justice Katakey's findings.

"The DGP’s next report should deal specifically with such aspect of the matter by referring to the findings and observations in Justice Katakey’s 14th interim report", the bench remarked.

Furthermore the court granted the petitioner permission to furnish any additional information pertaining to the persons who are the real owners of the coke oven and ferro alloy plants in Meghalaya that are operating illegally.

While clarifying that its order does not impede the operations of plants that possess valid permissions, the court emphasized the necessity for strict vigilance by the State, particularly in monitoring the source of coal used by these plants.

The case has been listed for further proceedings on July 3, 2023.

Case Title: Shailendra Kumar Sharma Vs State of Meghalaya & ors

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