Tribune Impact: Rs 34 lakh notice issued to landowners as illegal mining continues in Ropar village

Punjab Mining Department has issued a recovery notice of Rs 34 lakh to landowners whose property, despite being attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was allegedly still being used for illegal mining in Ropar’s Khera Kalmot village. The action was taken after the issue was highlighted by The Tribune.

Confirming the development, Nangal SDM Sachin Pathak said the notice was served to owners of land in Khera Kalmot village, where unauthorised mining was reported. He added that if the amount is not deposited, an FIR will be registered against the landowners.

As previously reported, allegations of illegal mining had emerged from Khera Kalmot in Ropar district. The land, which had been attached by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to illegal mining, was reportedly being exploited despite official restrictions. Villagers claimed that mining activity continued at night on a hill under the ED attachment.

Residents living nearby alleged that heavily loaded tippers frequently pass through narrow, unpaved roads close to their homes, causing disruption and posing safety risks.

Documents indicate that the ED first attached the land in 2022 as part of its probe into illegal mining proceeds. However, locals say weak enforcement has allowed operators to continue extraction activities under the cover of darkness.

Responding to the allegations, SDM Sachin Pathak said the demarcation of the ED-attached land has been completed. “Pillars have been installed as markers on the attached properties, and revenue officials have been instructed to carry out regular inspections,” he said. He also assured that a fresh inquiry would be initiated into the latest complaints.

The controversy comes amid a broader crackdown by the ED on illegal mining networks in Punjab. In a major operation, the agency attached 250 kanals of land across Ropar, Hoshiarpur, and Ludhiana districts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with the attachment order issued on October 17, 2025.

This action followed an FIR registered by Nangal police on October 17, 2023, which exposed large-scale illegal mining in the Swan and Sutlej riverbeds in Ropar district. Based on this, the ED launched its investigation and formally registered a PMLA case on February 14, 2024.

The attached properties span multiple locations, including Nangal and Nurpur Bedi in Ropar, Garshankar in Hoshiarpur, and Machhiwara in Ludhiana. While the registered value of the land is estimated at Rs 4.10 crore, officials say the actual market value is much higher.

According to the ED, the accused failed to provide legitimate sources of income for acquiring these assets. Investigations revealed that proceeds from illegal mining were laundered through fake GST invoices and fabricated mining slips to present them as legal earnings.

During questioning, key accused Nasib Chand admitted that he paid a daily “royalty” of Rs 38,000 to mining contractors for both legal and illegal extraction. He also confessed to collecting similar payments from other stone crushers to allow mining without proper documentation.

The accused allegedly purchased properties in the names of employees to conceal ownership. The ED maintains that the attached assets were derived, directly or indirectly, from proceeds of crime, with no documentary proof of legitimate income.

Officials believe the crackdown could lead to further action against illegal mining networks operating in Punjab’s riverine and border regions. Meanwhile, fresh allegations from Khera Kalmot have once again raised concerns over enforcement gaps, even as authorities promise further investigation.