The petitioner had flagged concern that several coke oven plants were being allowed to function in the West Khasi Hills District without any license or permission.
In response, the Court has now expanded the scope of inquiry of a one-person committee, comprising retired Gauhati High Court judge BP Katakey, looking into such issues. The commission has now been called on to examine the role of conniving officials allowing such practices.
“Justice Katakey’s brief may be extended for him to inquire into the persons behind the illegal operations of mining and transportation of coal and the illegal operation of coke plants, including the receipt of illegally-mined coal at such plants. In course of such exercise, the acts of omission and commission by persons in the administration, particularly police officials, including, possibly, the officer-in-charge of Shallang, may also be directed to be looked into“, the Court said.
Source: Barandbench
