Context:
The Supreme Court has asked Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to consider prosecution immunity for forest guards acting bona fide against illegal sand miners in the Chambal region. The Court also directed stronger surveillance, patrolling and enforcement to protect the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.
- The National Chambal Sanctuary extends across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and protects the Chambal River ecosystem.
- It is an important habitat for gharial, Gangetic dolphin, mugger crocodile, turtles and migratory birds.
- Illegal sand mining damages riverbeds, destroys nesting sites, alters river flow and threatens aquatic biodiversity.
- Forest guards and frontline officials often face physical attacks from mining mafias during enforcement operations.
- The Supreme Court used its extraordinary power under Article 142 to issue directions for “complete justice” and environmental protection.
- The Court referred to Section 218(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which allows protection from prosecution for certain bona fide official actions.
- Such immunity does not protect illegal or mala fide actions, but aims to prevent fear among officials acting in good faith.
- The issue connects environmental governance, rule of law, wildlife protection, illegal mining, river ecology and frontline enforcement.
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