Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday dismissed a PIL alleging rampant illegal sand mining from Damodar river in East Burdwan, stating that its petitioner was an ‘extortionist.’
The court also slapped Rs 50,000 penalty on petitioner Subrata Mallick, who identified himself as additional director crime of an organization named, ‘All India Anti-Corruption.’ One of the advocates pointed out that the petitioner’s designation was deceitfully similar to the government set up.
The petitioner was asked to pay the fine to West Bengal State Legal Services Authority within 15 days.
Chief Justice (CJ) of the high court, T S Sivagnanam, stated that this was Mallick’s third writ petition and the court had already dismissed two. “First of all, we will not entertain any writ petition by your client. He is an extortionist. He is threatening people and demanding money…How did he get the registration: All India Anti-Corruption?” the CJ asked the advocate representing Mallick in the court.
Though Mallick’s advocate informed the court that the organization was registered in New Delhi, no registration number was provided. The court observed that the use of the phrase ‘All India’ for the organization and Mallick identifying himself as additional director crime were illegal. The PIL had alleged that officials of the state government were directly involved in illegal mining activities, violating the West Bengal Mining Policy 202.