The Karnataka High Court stayed an auction notification issued with regard to sand mining lease for an area falling under Kabini river-bed, while admitting a PIL in this regard, for hearing.
The petition by H S Giriraj and some other residents of Hullahall in Mysore district questioned the impugned notification of the Senior Geologist (Minerals) scheduling an auction of lease rights pertaining to sand mining in Hullahalli. The villagers said that the officer had notified the auction for three acres of land in the village which was close to the Hathwal Katte dam. Mining here would affect the dam and the farmers dependent on it, the petitioners contended.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice S Abdul Nazeer stayed further proceedings and issued notices to the respondent authorities.
