The Supreme Court held that any destruction of wildlife habitats in protected areas will invite strict penalties under multiple environmental laws. The Court also warned that officials may be held accountable for “lethargy and inaction” in stopping illegal activities like sand mining.
On Wednesday (24th April): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for not taking action against environmental offenders, stating that it encourages violations of environmental laws. The NGT emphasized that revenue from environmental crimes qualifies as ‘proceeds of crime’ under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), directing the compensation to be used for environmental restoration in affected areas.
![[Sandeshkhali Violence Case] Calcutta HC Orders CBI Probe](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MicrosoftTeams-image-17.png?resize=414%2C232&ssl=1)
Kolkata: Today (10th April): The Calcutta High Court has ordered a CBI probe into alleged crimes against women and forcible land grabs in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal. The court will closely monitor the investigation, specifically addressing the illegal conversion of agricultural land for pisciculture, amid concerns about safety and environmental violations in the region.