ORDER

1. This original application is registered suo-motu on the basis of the news item titled "MP: Sehore mei Hitech machine se Narmada mei ho raha ret ka avaidh khanan, prashashan ne kee karyavai, rodar aur JCB jabt" appearing in ABP News dated 04.02.2024.

2. The news item discloses the illegal sand mining, excavation/transportation/storage in the Babri sand mine located in Narmada River in Gram Babri, Tehsil Rehti, District Sehore of Madhya Pradesh. As per the news item, sand mafia with the help of high tech rodar machine, valuing about 55 lakh, was involved in illegally extracting the sand from River Narmada and on the receipt of the information action has been taken by the jurisdictional Collector and the equipment’s, vehicles etc. involved in the illegal sand mining have been seized.

3. The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms.

4. Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter suo-motu has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.

5 . On advance notice the action taken report on behalf of the State of Madhya Pradesh has