Thu Dec 25 21:47:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

The Tamil Nadu government is challenging the legality of a survey conducted by IIT-Kanpur, at the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), regarding alleged illegal sand mining in the state. The government claims IIT-Kanpur lacked jurisdiction and the professor leading the survey was not officially authorized by the institute during the time the survey was conducted. The state also argues the survey was actually carried out by a private company incubated at IIT-Kanpur and that drone usage during the survey violated aviation regulations. The government’s claims are based on the fact the ED’s probe alleges large-scale irregularities in sand mining and resultant loss to the State exchequer. The ED’s engagement of IIT-Kanpur was to assess the quantum of sand mined at 28 permitted sites during October-November 2023.

News Article:

Tamil Nadu Government Disputes Legality of ED-Ordered Sand Mining Survey by IIT-Kanpur

CHENNAI, December 26, 2025 – The Tamil Nadu government is contesting the validity of a survey conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur, commissioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), concerning alleged illegal sand mining in the state. The government argues that IIT-Kanpur overstepped its jurisdictional bounds and the lead researcher’s involvement was unauthorized.

The ED initiated the survey as part of an investigation into purported large-scale irregularities in sand mining operations, which allegedly resulted in significant financial losses for the state. The state government has now written to IIT-Kanpur seeking clarification, including whether Professor Rajiv Sinha, who led the survey, was authorised to undertake it. Based on the survey report, the ED alleged that illegal mining beyond permissible limits had taken place and estimated the value of excess sand mining over the past several years at ₹4,730 crore, as against the recorded revenue of ₹36.45 crore earned by the State government.

According to official sources, the state claims that Prof. Sinha was not granted leave during the survey period and may not have even visited Tamil Nadu for the assessment. The government further alleges that the survey was actually conducted by Terraqua Private Limited, a company founded by Prof. Sinha and incubated at IIT-Kanpur, and stated that IIT-Kanpur had no jurisdiction to operate in Tamil Nadu.

Adding to the controversy, the state government alleges violations of drone regulations during the survey, citing a lack of necessary permits for drone operation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and local authorities.

The Tamil Nadu government has filed a status report with the Madras High Court, asserting that the ED and IIT-Kanpur overstepped their authority and that the survey lacks legal basis. The case is expected to bring further scrutiny to the ED’s investigation and the methods used to assess sand mining activities in the state.

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