Supreme Court Directs Rajasthan Government To Constitute SIT Within Three Days; Orders 100-Metre Protective Zone Along Rivers And Prohibits Red Category Industries Within 500 Metres
The Supreme Court has directed the Rajasthan Government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within three days to investigate organised illegal gravel (Bajri) mining in the Luni, Jojari and Bandi rivers and their tributaries. The investigation will also examine the alleged involvement of government officials in facilitating or enabling illegal mining activities.
A Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, in an order dated October 26, 2026, further restrained the Rajasthan Government from granting permissions for the establishment of new industrial units along or in the vicinity of the river ecosystem until the High Flood Line and buffer zones are scientifically determined.
SIT To Investigate Illegal Mining Networks And Officials
The Supreme Court directed that the SIT shall be headed by an officer not below the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP). The Superintendents of Police of Jodhpur, Balotra and Pali will also be members of the team.
The SIT has been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into organised illegal Bajri mining affecting the Luni, Jojari and Bandi rivers and their tributaries.
The investigation will cover:
The Court directed the SIT to submit its status report on or before the next date of hearing, scheduled for November 27, 2026.
100-Metre Protective Zone Along Rivers; No Red Category Industries Within 500 Metres
To protect the river ecosystem, the Supreme Court directed that an additional protective zone of 100 metres on either side of the recorded outer boundaries of the rivers shall be maintained.
The Court further directed that no Red Category industry shall be permitted to be established within a distance of 500 metres from the recorded outer boundaries of the rivers.
The restriction on granting permissions for new industrial units along or near the river ecosystem will continue until the High Flood Line and buffer zones are scientifically determined on the basis of relevant Revenue and Water Resources Department records.
Supreme Court Criticises Attempt To Regularise Illegal Mining Through Subsequent Lease Grants
The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the Rajasthan Mining Department's explanation that mining leases had subsequently been granted in accordance with the prescribed procedure in several areas where illegal gravel mining had earlier been detected.
Rejecting this explanation, the Court observed that the subsequent grant of mining leases does not, by itself, establish that the mining activities are environmentally sustainable or consistent with the preservation of river systems.
The Court observed:
"We deprecate the apparent attempt on the part of the Mining Department of the State of Rajasthan to legitimise illegal mining activities being carried out in the riverbeds by subsequently granting mining leases, rather than taking appropriate action against those responsible."
The Court further indicated that it would consider directing appropriate action against officials found responsible for permitting or facilitating such activities.
It emphasised that compliance with the procedure for granting mining leases and compliance with environmental safeguards governing actual mining operations are two distinct requirements.
The environmental impact of mining areas must be independently assessed, taking into account the natural flow of rivers, the integrity of riverbeds and banks, replenishment capacity, groundwater recharge and cumulative mining across contiguous stretches.
Anonymous Complaints Against Illegal Mining
The Supreme Court also directed that the Integrated Public Reporting and Environmental Grievance Redressal Mechanism, which was ordered to be established earlier on August 7, 2026, must include a facility for submitting anonymous complaints concerning illegal Bajri mining and other unlawful activities affecting the river ecosystem.
The mechanism must provide for recording, examining and referring such complaints to the competent authorities for appropriate action.
Groundwater Depletion In Jodhpur, Balotra And Pali
The Court also took note of concerns regarding groundwater depletion, industrial pollution and the deteriorating ecological condition of the Balotra region.
It directed the Rajasthan Government to file a separate affidavit addressing these concerns.
The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was also directed to be impleaded in the proceedings and submit an affidavit detailing:
The concerns were raised by Digvijay Singh Jasol, who highlighted the over-exploitation of groundwater resources and the impact of industrial activities in the region.
Senior Advocate Balbir Singh Appointed As Amicus Curiae
Considering the complexity of the environmental issues involved, the Supreme Court appointed Senior Advocate Balbir Singh, assisted by Advocate-on-Record Namit Saxena, as Amici Curiae to assist the Court in effectively examining and resolving the issues.
The proceedings arise out of the Supreme Court's suo motu intervention concerning pollution in the Jojari-Luni-Bandi river system, which has adversely affected the environment and the lives of approximately 20 lakh people.
Earlier, the Court had warned the Rajasthan authorities that it could direct a CBI investigation into alleged illegal mining and the subsequent regularisation of mining areas where illegal activities had been detected.
NGT Can Examine Independent Closure Orders Of Pollution Control Board
In a separate aspect of the proceedings, the Supreme Court clarified that its earlier directions restricting the reopening of closed industrial units do not take away the statutory appellate jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to examine independent regulatory orders passed by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB).
The clarification came while considering an application filed by Bherawa Textile Industries Pvt. Ltd., whose Consent to Operate was revoked by the RSPCB on August 18, 2026, and whose industrial unit was ordered to be closed.
The company had challenged the closure order before the NGT but subsequently withdrew its appeal after the Pollution Control Board relied upon the Supreme Court's earlier directions.
The Supreme Court clarified that the NGT retains jurisdiction to examine the legality and sustainability of independent regulatory orders passed by the RSPCB. However, such adjudication would not automatically permit an industrial unit to resume operations contrary to the Supreme Court's directions.
The company was granted liberty to approach the NGT for restoration of its withdrawn appeal.
The Supreme Court's directions seek to address organised illegal mining, industrial pollution, groundwater depletion and the deterioration of the river ecosystem in western Rajasthan.
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