Supreme Court flags illegal mining, may seek CBI probe in Rajasthan

The Supreme Court questioned Rajasthan over illegal mining and pollution across three rivers. Its warning of a CBI probe intensifies pressure for a time-bound restoration plan.Image used for representational purposes onlyNewdelhi,Oct 27, 2026 14:40 ISTThe Supreme Court has criticised the Rajasthan government over alleged illegal mining along the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river system and said the matter may require a CBI investigation, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The court also raised concerns about river pollution, the regularisation of mining leases and industries operating without the required no-objection certificates. It directed the state government to submit a proposal to restore the river system.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta made the observations on Monday while hearing a case taken up by the court on its own over contamination in the Jojari river. The court had also flagged pollution in the Bandi and Luni rivers.The Jojari flows through Jodhpur, the Bandi through Pali and the Luni through Balotra. The Bandi and Jojari rivers merge with the Luni near Balotra city. During the hearing, the bench raised the issues of alleged illegal mining, regularisation of mining leases and industries operating without the required approvals. “If we start probing into this, it may require a CBI investigation,” the bench said, according to PTI.“The entire river system is destroyed in full view of the state authorities,” the court said, adding that the authorities appeared to have failed to perform their duties. It warned that the officials concerned could face consequences if the state failed to take effective corrective action. The bench also noted that several industries in areas such as Sanganer were operating without the required no-objection certificates. “Making 20 lakh people live in hell can't be compared with your economic viability and economic sustenance of a few,” it said.The court posted the matter for further hearing on November 27 and asked the Rajasthan government to submit a proposal on restoring the river system and addressing the other issues it had raised.In August, the Supreme Court had directed the state government to form an Integrated Coordination Group headed by the chief secretary to address contamination in the three rivers. It said the group should hold detailed consultations with a high-level ecosystem oversight committee and prepare a coordinated, time-bound plan to implement corrective measures.The court had formed the oversight committee in November last year to identify the main problems in the system, supervise measures to prevent further pollution and suggest long-term steps to reverse the damage. The latest directions require Rajasthan to present a restoration proposal while addressing alleged illegal mining, unauthorised industrial operations and pollution across the Jojari-Bandi-Luni river system.- Ends