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Sunday, January 25, 2026
TopicIllegal sand mining

Topic: illegal sand mining

The story of Bihar’s two mafias—sand and booze

The sand and liquor mafias have corroded Bihar’s economy, fuelled criminal politics, brought in a rural rot, and rendered its youth unemployable for at least a decade.

Who is Ilma Afroz, Baddi SP sent on leave & what’s the ‘feud’ with Congress MLA Ram Kumar all about

Afroz has, in the past, fined Chaudhary’s wife for alleged involvement in illegal sand mining & also taken action against an associate of his. The MLA has denied any role in her leave.

‘Fishing expedition’ — Madras HC order staying ED summons to 5 district collectors in Tamil Nadu

ED issued summons as part of probe into sand quarries across state since September, on allegations of illegal sale of sand mined from riverbeds. Matter posted for 21 December. 

‘Not within ED jurisdiction’ — HC stays summons issued to 5 Tamil Nadu collectors in sand mining case

Though summons has been stayed, ED has been given 3 weeks time by Madras HC to respond. Meanwhile, court hasn't put a stay on probe carried out by ED into illegal sand mining.

Sand miners are the new narcos. Rajasthan gangs offer cash, career, swag

Sand mafias have turned illegal river mining into a thriving industry, luring young recruits and villagers with promises of wealth and power. Crime and cratered rivers are the collaterals.

How new platform plans to fight illegal sand mining in India — satellite imagery, remote sensors

New Delhi: A non-government organisation from West Bengal has launched a new portal that will give users a bird's eye view of illegal sand-mining activities...

NGT bans, surprise raids, vigilance no hurdle. Mining mafia plunder river beds of Himachal Pradesh at will

Though forest officials sealed the road along Neugal river at Thural in Kangra district last week, locals claim mining mafia's business will be back to normal in no time. Here's why.

‘Scale of violence unprecedented’ — shock & confusion after ‘sand mafia’ attack on officials in Bihar

A video that went viral shows woman officer, part of a team of 3, being dragged & beaten up in Bihta town. Director of mines dept puzzled by locals' support for illegal sand miners.

Crater-sized quarries, bold sand mafia — why Punjab’s mining scandal is a political hot potato

Blanket ban on sand mining in place in Punjab since 10 November has done little to abate sand mafia. State govt opened first sand & gravel sale outlet in Mohali earlier this month.

‘Sand mafia, goonda tax’: Illegal mining is no secret, but still an election issue in Punjab

With illegal sand mining becoming a poll issue, ThePrint visited SBS Nagar and Rupnagar districts to find out how and why such sites operate, and what local authorities are doing.

On Camera

What Indira Gandhi said in her first speech as PM, 60 years ago

On 26 January 1966, Indira Gandhi delivered a speech that was broadcast over All India Radio. This was her first address to the nation after becoming India’s first woman prime minister.

India wants Canada’s resources as nations build on truce, British Columbia’s Premier says

Premier David Eby, the leader of the minerals- and gas-rich province of British Columbia, spoke with executives at Tata Steel and Reliance Industries on a trade mission to India.

US officially calls China ‘second most powerful country’, new strategy softens stand against Beijing, Moscow

New defence strategy marks clear break from Biden-era Pentagon policy, softening tone on China & Russia, while pushing allies to shoulder more responsibility with less US backing.

Non-alignment is coming back in a new avatar: Trump-peedit alliance

No nation other than China can negotiate one-on-one with Trump on an equal footing. That’s why the middle powers who so far formed the core of multilateral bodies now feel orphaned.