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High Court Panel Demands Probe Into Missing 13 Lakh Tonnes of Coal in Meghalaya
M
Moneycontrol•07-10-2026, 18:50
High Court Panel Demands Probe Into Missing 13 Lakh Tonnes of Coal in Meghalaya
- •A Meghalaya High Court-appointed committee led by Justice Retired BP Katakey has demanded a detailed inquiry into the shortage of over 13 lakh tonnes of inventoried coal.
- •The missing quantity translates to approximately 52,000 truckloads and the panel has called for strict action and accountability for those responsible.
- •The committee noted that the state government is yet to complete necessary legal actions and file proper status reports regarding missing illegally-mined coal from depots.
- •The panel highlighted that not a single rat-hole coal mine has been fenced or closed to date despite repeated directives to secure abandoned mine openings.
- •A fresh case of illegal coal mining was also recorded in East Jaintia Hills district while compensation remains unpaid to the family of a victim who died in an illegal pit.
Key Questions Answered
A committee headed by retired Justice BP Katakey has sought a detailed inquiry into the shortage of 13.02 lakh tonnes of inventoried coal and called for fixing responsibility on those responsible.
Although the panel initially noted that FIRs were missing for a large portion, the state informed the committee on September 17 that FIRs had been lodged for the entire missing quantity.
Not a single rat-hole coal mine has been closed or fenced to date, despite repeated directions to secure abandoned mine openings, while the state's action plan remains pending.
