SC notice to govt on denial of extension to Justice Shah panel

SC issued notice to Centre on a plea challenging its decision not to grant extension to Justice MB Shah panel inquiring into mining-related issues.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Centre on a plea challenging its decision not to grant extension to the Justice M B Shah panel inquiring into mining-related issues.

A bench headed by Justice A K Patnaik sought response from the government on an application filed by an NGO contending that either the Centre be asked to extend the tenure of the panel or another commission be formed under the chairpersonship of Justice Shah to inquire into all aspects of illegal mining and other mining-related issues in the country. The panel was formed to inquire into "all aspects of illegal mining and other mining-related issues in the country, especially in the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, as a commission appointed by this court and to submit its reports to this court", the plea said. The plea was moved by NGO Goa Foundation, S R Hiremath, founder President of Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS) and Keshav Shori, director of the Development Initiative for Sustainable Human Advancement (Disha). The plea also sought a direction to the central government to place all reports of the Justice Shah Commission of Inquiry in the public domain. The government has "malafidely" wound up the panel on October 16, it said, adding its reports had exposed "illegal mining" and that had led to banning of extractions of minerals in Goa.