A case has been registered against an individual for allegedly engaging in illegal laterite stone extraction and tampering with official licence documents in Bantwal taluk, Dakshina Kannada district. The incident came to light during a routine inspection by the Mines and Geology Department, which uncovered discrepancies in the validity period of the mining licence.
Details of the Case
According to officials, the licence document presented by the accused had its date allegedly altered to show validity until May 29, 2026. However, the original licence had already expired. The tampering was detected when department officials cross-checked the document with their records. The accused is believed to have been extracting laterite stones without a valid licence for some time.
Legal Action Taken
Based on a complaint filed by the Mines and Geology Department, the Bantwal police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules and the Indian Penal Code for cheating and forgery. Investigations are underway to determine the extent of the illegal extraction and any potential collusion with other parties.
Laterite stones are widely used in construction in the coastal region, and illegal mining has been a recurring issue in several parts of Dakshina Kannada. Authorities have stepped up surveillance and inspections to curb such activities.
