Sat Jul 05 02:39:52 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra government to recover approximately ₹190.3 crore in penalties and royalties from Laxmi Stone Industries, a private quarry operator, for illegal mining activities in Chinchavli village, Thane district. This follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by environmental activists and residents alleging that the company violated environmental regulations and exceeded permitted extraction limits, causing environmental damage and health problems for the local tribal population. The court’s decision comes after an official inspection revealed significant over-excavation. While the court dismissed the PIL due to delays in filing, it emphasized that the existing penalty proceedings addressed the core issues raised. Activists and residents hailed the ruling as a victory for environmental justice and accountability.
**News Article:**
**Court Orders Recovery of ₹190 Crore from Quarry Operator for Illegal Mining in Thane**
**Mumbai, July 5, 2025** – The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to recover ₹1,90,30,05,958 crore in penalties and royalties from a private quarry operator, Laxmi Stone Industries, for illegal mining activities in Chinchavli village, located in the ecologically sensitive Ambernath region of Thane district. The ruling is a significant win for environmental activists and local tribal communities who have long suffered the consequences of unchecked quarrying.
The court’s decision follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by environmental activist Nandakumar Waman Pawar and Chinchavli resident Bhaskar Warghada, who alleged that the quarry operator violated environmental clearance conditions and exceeded permitted extraction limits. For nearly two decades, residents of Chinchavli have been exposed to dust, noise pollution, and health risks due to the rampant quarrying activity.
An official inspection revealed that the operator had significantly over-excavated, extracting more than 1.3 lakh brass of material beyond the permitted amount. Based on this, the Collector issued penalty orders totaling ₹190.3 crore.
While the court dismissed the PIL citing delays in filing, it recognized that the penalty proceedings addressed the core grievances raised by the petitioners. The court directed authorities to recover the dues, subject to any challenges raised by the operator.
Activists welcomed the ruling as a major step toward justice for the affected tribal communities. “This is a major step toward justice for the tribal communities who have suffered silently for years,” said Mr. Pawar. “We hope the government ensures full recovery of penalties and restores the ecological balance of the region.” Mr. Warghada, speaking on behalf of the residents, expressed gratitude for the win, noting that the ruling provided long-awaited relief from years of environmental degradation and health concerns. The court has also requested the Konkan Divisional Commissioner to provide an affidavit on any further violations.
The case highlights the growing need for stronger regulatory oversight in quarrying zones and increased accountability for environmental violations, especially in areas inhabited by vulnerable communities.
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