Shillong, Apr21: The Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday took suo motu cognizance of alleged illegal transportation of boulders and other minerals to the Bangladesh border, and issued interim directions to ensure no vehicle plies without valid documents.

A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice HS Thangkhiew registered PIL pursuant to a letter dated April 15, 2026, raising apprehension of serious repercussions due to large number of heavy motor vehicles, including goods trucks and dumper trucks engaged in transportation of boulders and other minerals plying towards the Bangladesh border, particularly along NH-206, in violation of law.

In its interim directions, the bench ordered authorities to ensure no vehicle passes through Land Customs Station and Forest Department check points without a valid mineral transport challan and other required documents corresponding to the truck number.

Vehicles found without requisite documents may be seized or confiscated along with the mineral, as per law, the court said.

It further directed that vehicles transporting minerals must hold fitness certificates and valid PUC, and asked authorities to conduct a drive to verify that minerals are excavated only from licensed areas.

Strict compliance with all Acts, Rules and Regulations governing mineral transport was also ordered.
The court noted that the letter alleged transportation of boulders and other minerals is happening without following due procedure and in violation of applicable laws; and, that the vehicles that are transporting the boulders and other minerals are without registration plates.

Photographs and videos were annexed to the letter as evidence.

The letter also highlights concern relating to the alleged illegal extraction and transportation of minerals; damage to public roads due to heavy vehicular movement; adverse impact on the lives of local residents; and loss and damage to the environment, which cannot be compensated in any manner.

“The apprehensions raised in the letter are prima facie visible and real,” the bench said in its order.

It noted that mining is supposed to be restricted in sensitive areas (50 meters from villages, highways and water sources) and requires forest/wildlife clearances in areas designated as forests.

“It is a matter of grave and serious concern that trucks/dumpers are allowed to ply without registration plates or checking of valid and requisite documents necessary to ply the minerals,” the order stated.

“Allowing vehicles to ply without number plates/valid documents, prima facie, reveals a disturbing pattern of inaction and administrative indifference.”

The court directed impleadment of multiple respondents, including the State of Meghalaya, Mining and Geology Department, Directorate of Mineral Resources, Transport Department, Forest Department, District Administration and Police, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Revenue and Taxation Department, Union of India, Commissioner of Customs, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Border Security Force. Notice was issued to all respondents.

Advocate General A Kumar waived notice for state departments and DSGI Dr N Mozika waived notice for the Union of India, Customs and BSF. Both sought times to file affidavits with respect to the steps taken by the authorities, under various Acts, including under the Meghalaya Minor Minerals Concession Rules, 2016, the Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy, 2012 and the Meghalaya Mineral (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2022.

The bench also asked the Advocate General to take instructions with respect to the existing policy for exporting of minerals, in particular limestone, having regard to the impact that the extraction of the mineral will ultimately have on the environment, which can never be compensated.

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