Ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat Killed in Pratapgarh While Allegedly Trying to Stop Dumper; Rajasthan Asked to File Action-Taken Report by October 6
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken note of the death of Rajasthan forest ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat, who was allegedly crushed by a dumper in Pratapgarh. while attempting to stop suspected illegal excavation.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta took up the issue on Wednesday during the ongoing proceedings concerning illegal mining.
The Court directed the State of Rajasthan to file its response and listed the matter for October 6.
The incident was brought to the Court’s notice by Senior Advocate Nikhil Goel, who is assisting the Court as amicus curiae.
He informed the Bench about the reported death of the forest officer and stated that the news report had already been shared with Rajasthan’s Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma.
Chundawat was allegedly hit by a dumper and dragged along with his motorcycle in the Chhoti Sadri area of Pratapgarh on the night of September 21, when he attempted to stop the vehicle. According to the information placed before the Court, illegal excavation was allegedly being carried out near a pond using a JCB machine.
The incident prompted the Bench to take serious note of the safety of frontline forest officials involved in enforcement operations.
Rajasthan Says Incident Not Linked to Chambal Sanctuary
Appearing for the State, Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma informed the Court that the incident had no connection with the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary and was not a case of illegal sand mining.
He told the Bench that he had spoken to the Director General of Police and that action had already been taken. The State would place a detailed action-taken report before the Court.
SC Says Preventive Detention Should Be Used
While considering the incident, the Supreme Court observed that preventive detention should be used in such cases anywhere in the State.
The observation comes against the backdrop of the Court’s continuing scrutiny of organised illegal mining and the threats faced by frontline forest personnel.
The Supreme Court has already issued several directions to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh relating to surveillance, check-posts, prosecution of illegal mining networks and protection of frontline forest personnel.
In its earlier order dated July 22, the Court had also asked the States to consider preventive detention against kingpins and habitual offenders involved in organised illegal sand mining.
The latest incident has now brought the issue of the safety of forest officials directly before the Supreme Court, with the State required to place its action-taken report before the Bench on October 6.