The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Director of the Department of Geology and Mining to complete a pending inquiry in the case pertaining to illegal sand mining in Tirunelveli district by a resident of Kerala. It also directed the CB-CID to ensure the conclusion of the trial in the case at the earliest.Justice B. Pugalendhi said a perusal of the final report revealed that the first accused in the case, Manuvel George of Kerala had obtained an M-sand stock yard licence and transport permit with the help of officials from the Department of Geology and Mining. The first accused dug up bogus farm ponds at various survey numbers in South Kallidaikurichi without obtaining permission from authorities. He also excavated unauthorised pits on other survey numbers. Thereafter, the sand was illegally transported to Kerala using M-sand permits with the connivance of other accused and officials, the court said.The court said sand mining by private individuals was prohibited in Tamil Nadu with effect from 2003, under Rule 38-A of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959.As per the rule, the right to exploit sand in the State is vested with the State government alone to the exclusion of others, the court said. However, in this case, a person from Kerala has taken sand illegally from the banks of the Thamirabarani and has illegally transported the same in the name of M-sand to Kerala. The first accused has committed offence with the connivance of the officials, the court said.The accused officials have also facilitated the crime by issuing work orders for constructing bogus farm ponds in order to legalise the mining operations without even ascertaining the survey numbers and the nature of land, the court said.This episode clearly shows the manner in which the offenders are escaping accountability and punishment for their actions. Such slackness in initiating disciplinary proceedings and taking action against the erring officials would only embolden other officials to indulge in such activities, the court said.The reputation of the department depends on the integrity of its officers and even one drop of poison would spoil an entire tank of water. Therefore, the Director of Department of Geology and Mining should look into the issue and ensure that the pending inquiry was completed at the earliest, the court said.This case creates an impression that anything can be achieved with ill gotten money without any serious consequence. It is for the higher officials concerned to correct this notion and protect the integrity of the department. Since the final report has been filed, the CB-CID, which has conducted the investigation in an effective manner, should ensure the conclusion of the trial at the earliest, the court said.The court disposed of the petition filed by R. Ponnudurai, an accused in the case. The petitioner, who was serving as Assistant Engineer in the Agricultural Engineering Department, was placed under suspension. He submitted a representation to revoke the suspension, but the same was rejected. Challenging it, he sought a direction to be reinstated to service. Published - June 06, 2026 10:50 pm IST