The Meghalaya High Court has today asked the Assam government to file an affidavit after conducting a preliminary inquiry regarding allegations that there is veritable coal laundering by a coal trader with the active connivance of government officials.
The division bench of the High Court was hearing the PIL filed by Champer M. Sangma and Maikel T. Sangma who alleged that the illegally mined coal in Meghalaya is smuggled out to Assam and then re-routed to Meghalaya for ultimate export to Bangladesh by obtaining forged and fabricated papers in Assam.
During today’s hearing, the Meghalaya government told the court that a magisterial inquiry was conducted on the matter where it was discovered that proper documents regarding payment of GST on the coal had been produced. The State government also told the court that after the GST payment receipt was presented, the government has no obligation to inquire any further as to the legitimacy of the transportation of the coal.
The two petitioners, however, insisted that there is veritable coal laundering by a coal trader (private respondent No. 14) in the matter with the active connivance of officials. The petitioners also alleged that the 14th respondent provides the services of coal laundering by furnishing fabricated documents as the illegally mined coal in Meghalaya is returned to the State with such documents.
The High Court said that it was because of the nature of the allegations and the possible commission of the act in Assam that special notice has been issued to the Assam government.
The lawyer for the Assam government told the High Court that some cases have been registered regarding illegal transportation of coal. However, details are awaited in this regard.
The High Court asked the Assam government to file an affidavit after conducting a preliminary inquiry to verify the allegations made by the petitioners regarding coal laundering by the coal trader. In particular, the court asked the Assam government to render assistance as to the sanctity of a GST payment receipt being produced.
The next hearing on the matter will be held on November 14.
