central empowered committee report (i) of the cec in writ petition

emained a mute spectator to the destruction of evidence by
allowing the lessee to fill up the pit. The lessee was also
allowed to remove the so called over burden without
verifying whether it contained any saleable iron ore. Inspite
of the lessee committing a series of illegalities as seen
above the officers of the Forest Department did not take any
action commensurate with the illegalities committed. On the
other hand ironically the Forest Department has found the
case fit for recommending for diversion of additional forest
area under the FC Act. This is most disturbing as it clearly
indicates active connivance of the State officials in illegal
mining and transportation.
16. In the above background, following recommendations
are made for the consideration of this Hon’ble Court:
i) Order of the Deputy Conservator of Forest,
Bellary Circle by which the forest offence case
registered against M/s Lakshminarayana Mining
Company has been compounded should be set
aside and the forest offence case should be re-
opened and dealt with under the supervision and
direction of the Principal Chief Conservator of
Forest, Karnataka Forest Department. An
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immediate decision also needs to be taken with