A court on Sunday ordered the release of protesters on certain conditions, including production of personal surety of Rs 7,000 and assurance that they would not take part in protests.
Expressing shock at the magnitude of the alleged illegal export of 35 lakh metric tons of iron ore by private firms in Karnataka, the Supreme Court on Thursday said it wants to explore the possibility if the guilty could be punished within six months.
The apex court has directed that status quo be maintained till its next hearing on October 21.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa was on Friday granted a day's time by the Supreme Court to file documents for opposing the expert committee's recommendations for Central Bureau of Investigation probe into illegal mining by companies which made donations to the charitable trust run by his kin.
The Supreme Court on Friday suspended mining activities in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka, saying it would not change its order until a proper rehabilitation programme is formed. A three-judge forest bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia gave the order on a recommendation by its expert panel for halting extraction of iron ores in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka.
Professor Avkash Jadhav, head of the history department at St Xavier's College and trustee of the city-based KAASH Foundation, said a Special Investigation Team should be set up to inspect the site where trees were cut and ascertain the actual damage done.
The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee on Friday said that large-scale illegal mining was going on in Karnataka, particularly in Bellary district, in connivance with officials and public representatives.A special forest bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia issued a notice to the state government and sought its response on various findings in the CEC's interim report, including the export of 304.91 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore without valid permit.
In an interim order, the Supreme Court has permitted the state-run NMDC to operate two mines in Bellary district. The NMDC, which has been granted leases by the state government, was permitted by the Supreme Court to extend the production of iron ore to the tune of one million tonnes per month from Saturday. Incidentally, the NMDC finds a mention in the Lokayukta report due to alleged lease violations.
Bench, however, did not pass any order against 68 other mines
In a morale booster to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's pet project, the Supreme Court on Friday upheld environmental compatibility of the Noida park scheme, also being developed into a memorial for Dalit icon B R Ambedkar and her political mentor late Kanshi Ram.
The Supreme Court on Friday restrained the Uttar Pradesh government from carrying out building and construction activities for the installation of statues and memorials of Dalit icons, including Chief Minister Mayawati, at a park in Noida adjacent to the national capital.
From a legal perspective, 2008 has been noteworthy for the corporate world as the Supreme Court cleared the environmental hurdles for three projects, which entailed investments in billions of dollars. On other hand, the apex court asked the Central Pollution Control Board to probe into the allegations made the Orissa against Paradeep Phosphates Ltd, which was also asked by the state to shut its factory for releasing hazardous pollutants.
The Supreme Court on Friday issued contempt notice to noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan for allegedly casting aspersions on some of the judges, including a senior most apex court judge and previous Chief Justices of India in an interview to a news magazine.
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