Chambal Sanctuary | Supreme Court To Hold Officials Vicariously Liable For Wildlife Destruction Due To Illegal Sand Mining

The Supreme Court today expressed an intention to hold officials of the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh vicariously liable for destruction of wildlife habitats in the National Chambal Sanctuary area due to their "lethargy and inaction" in preventing illegal sand mining.

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.

When the matter came up, Justice Mehta said that detailed consideration of all aspects would be made after receiving response from various state governments and departments. However, at present, the Court may observe that, "every act of destruction of wildlife habitat in a protected area would attract offenses and penalties under the Wildlife Protection Act, the Environment Protection Act, the Forest Conservation Act, the Biological Diversity Act, and the Indian Forest Act as well as other applicable statutes and Rules framed thereunder."

As per the order, "The officials of the departments concerned, that is, the Forest, Mining and Water Resources as well as police authorities of the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh by their lethargy and inaction would be liable to be held vicariously liable for aiding and abetting the destruction of these precious habitats by allowing illegal sand mining to continue."

Suitable exhaustive directions in the above regard shall be issued once response of all the departments and the state governments are received, Justice Mehta said.

The Court directed the Registry to implead and issue notice to the states of Rajasthan, UP and MP (through their Principal Secretaries), the DGPs of these 3 states, the Principal Secretaries of the Departments of Mining and Geology of these 3 states, the Principal Secretaries of Forest of these 3 states, the Principal Secretaries of the Departments of Water Resources of these 3 states, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (through its Secretary).

It further requested Senior Advocate Nikhil Goel and Advocate-on-Record Rupali Samuel to assist as Amicus Curiae. Notice was also issued to the Court-appointed Centrally Empowered Committee (now working under the Environment Protection Act).

The matter will be heard next on April 2.

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