MADURAI: The Madras high court appointed an advocate commissioner to inspect and submit a report, in a plea which sought to prevent illegal sand mining in Thamirabarani river in Tuticorin district.
The court was hearing a petition filed by K Balakrishnan who sought to prevent illegal sand mining from Thamirabarani river at Vallanadu village in Tuticorin district.
A division bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and B Pugalendhi appointed M Kalaivanan, an advocate and retired joint director of geology and mining department as an advocate commissioner.
The judges directed the commissioner to inspect the place and ascertain the quantity of sand quarried from Thamirabarani river.
The petitioner's counsel submitted that due to recent rains, some of the portions are water logged and it is easy to destroy the evidence. Taking cognizance of the submissions, the judges directed the commissioner to assess the volume of sand quarried using advanced scientific methods like satellite images and other methods.
The judges directed the commissioner to file a report along with photographs in this regard and adjourned the case to December 3.