JOIN US The division bench, comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice V G Sabhahit which heard a petition by the mining company challenging the order by the Revenue Department dated March 28, 2009, directed the State to assess the damage caused to the forests.
Of the 100-acre land leased to the firm in 1938 at Thirtharampura in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk, 96 acres are forest land. The lease was renewed in 1992-1993 by the then Director, Mines and Geology (DMG) as per the reccomendation of the then DC and tahsildar, Tumkur.
However, following a joint survey by officers of the Revenue Department, Forests, and the Department of Mines and Geology, the Revenue Department issued a demand notice directing the petitioner to pay up Rs 38.30 crore. The bench, remitting the matter to the Government, directed it to initiate stringent action against the erring officials.