Mine owners responsible for trapping of workers: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday said the illegal mine owners in Meghalaya are responsible for the “mishappening” that took place causing trapping of 15 mine workers for over a month.

A bench presided over by Justice A K Sikri issued a notice to an illegal miner and asked the state government as well as Coal India to provide details of such mines.

“The mishappening has taken place because of illegal mining in the concerned mines for which, obviously, the mine owner is responsible,” the bench, also comprising Justices S Abdul Nazeer, said.

The court issued a notice to the mine owner namely Jrin Chullet alias Krip Chullet of East Jaintia Hills District and directed his name to be included as a respondent in a petition filed by an advocate, Aditya N Prasad.

Senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for the petitioner, pointed out that the problem of de-watering the mines still persisted. He said that Kirloskar has a sufficient number of 100 Horsepower capacity pumps and was even ready to supply the same in the rescue efforts.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta accepted the suggestion and said that these pumps would be
airlifted to the nearest point of the site and with the help of the army authorities.

The court put the matter for further consideration on February 22.

The court examined the matter raised by Prasad for taking urgent steps to rescue the 15 miners trapped in the mine since December 13.