- By Aditya Jha
- Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:00 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a surprising turn of events, Justice Vishal Mishra of the Madhya Pradesh High Court refused to hear a petition in connection with an illegal mining case by stating that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Sanjay Pathak attempted to contact him . Justice Mishra stated that the legislator tried to contact him on the phone to discuss the matter, adding that the case should be introduced before the chief justice for listing it before an appropriate bench. Ashutosh Dixit, the petitioner, approached the high court after the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) allegedly did not take any action against the accused within a time-bound period.
In his order, Justice Mishra stated that he was not willing to hear the case, as Sanjay Pathak tried to establish contact in connection with the case. "Sanjay Pathak has made an attempt to call me to have discussion regarding this particular matter, therefore, I am not inclined to entertain this writ petition," the Court said, reported the Bar and Bench. "Let the matter be placed before the Hon'ble Chief Justice for listing the matter before the appropriate Bench for consideration," the court added.
The Mineral Department of Madhya Pradesh, upon the case reaching the High Court, imposed Rs 443 crore fine on three companies linked with Pathak's family for large-scale illegal mining in Jabalpur's Sihora tehsil. The authority slapped the fine on Anand Mining Corporation, Nirmala Minerals, and Pacific Exports for the illegal mining. Apart from this, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also acknowledged that excessive mining has taken place in Jabalpur.
"Mining beyond approved limits has taken place," CM Yadav stated in a written reply during Assembly Question Hour on August 6. Earlier during the previous hearings, EOW stated that the portioner's complaint has been referred to the concerned department for necessary actions.
