New Delhi:
The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of a whistleblower IAS officer by the Madras High Court to inspect mining activities in the state.
In its appeal, the Tamil Nadu government says, "The state has taken stringent action against illegal granite mining. It has canceled 88 mining leases and 36 cases filed against illegal mining companies... State has stopped export of granite."
"The Madras High court should have consulted the state before appointing Sagayam, so set aside the high court order," the appeal adds.
This appeal is likely to be heard this week.
Last week, the Madras High Court had appointed U Sagayam, Vice-Chairman, Science City, as a Special Officer/Legal Commissioner to inspect various types of mining activities in the state and submit a report to the court within two months.
Mr Sagayam is no stranger to playing such sensitive roles. In fact, the officer, who has been transferred 24 times in his 23 years of service, shot to fame as a revenue officer in Kancheepuram when he took stern action against illegal sand mining in the Palar riverbed, braving threats from a strong mafia.