THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Oct 18: In a letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the state BJP president and Leader of the Opposition, Babulal Marandi, has raised serious concerns over alleged large-scale illegal stone mining in the Borio region of Sahibganj district.
According to the letter, a mining lease of four acres was officially granted in 2017 by the District Mining Office, Sahibganj, to lease-holder Satyanath Sah (of Mouza Binderi Bandarkola) for stone excavation. The sanctioned lease was valid for a ten-year term (February 18, 2017 to February 17, 2027).
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However, Marandi claims that the lease-holder has illegally mined approximately 20 acres, encompassing plots numbered 720 and 721, leading to a revenue loss estimated at around ₹200 crore.
Key allegations and evidence presented
The letter encloses an application from Kailash Prasad, Deputy Chief of Borio Block, and several annexures: the original lease (Annexure-1), the investigation order (Annexure-2), and measurement reports by a two-member team led by the Sub-Divisional Officer of Sahibganj (Annexures 3 and 4).
Despite the investigation confirming irregular mining beyond the sanctioned four acres, Marandi says no action was taken by the District Mining Officer or the local Station House Officer to stop the activity.
He further alleges that the lease-holder received “personal protection” from senior officials including the deputy commissioner and local SHO, allowing the illegal mining to continue unchecked.
The informant reportedly faced retaliation: an FIR filed by the lease-holder’s son, Rohit Kumar Sah, led to the lock-up detention of Prasad, the public representative raising the issue.
The letter warns of threats to the informant’s life and property if protective action is not taken.
Calls to action
Marandi has urged the Chief Minister to:
Immediately halt the illegal operations attributed to Satyanath Sah and his associates
Initiate recovery of the estimated ₹200 crore revenue loss.
Instruct district police to ensure the safety of the informant and other whistle-blowers.
Direct appropriate departmental action against responsible mining officials and law-enforcement officers for alleged dereliction of duty.
Political and regulatory implications
The allegations carry significant regulatory implications for the mining sector in Jharkhand, an area historically vulnerable to illegal mining and exploitation of mineral leases. Marandi’s intervention intensifies political pressure on the state government to enforce compliance and accountability in the mining regime.
Given the scale of the alleged breach and the size of the revenue loss claimed, the matter could prompt an institutional inquiry or investigation by higher authorities.
