Crackdown on Illegal Mining Nets Rs55.39cr Penalty: Bidari Nagpur: A year-long crackdown on illegal minor mineral extraction and transportation in the Nagpur division has resulted in 587 criminal cases, 158 arrests, and penalties totaling Rs55.39 crore, authorities announced. Divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari highlighted the scale of violations across districts, noting that actions were taken in 2,478 cases through district-level flying squads and check posts between April 2025 and March 31, 2026. Of the total penalties imposed, Rs20.15 crore has been recovered so far. Bidari emphasized that strict measures were initiated against illegal excavation and transport of minor minerals via special drives, reflecting intensified enforcement efforts over the past year. Authorities seized 1,512 vehicles and 10 pieces of machinery linked to illegal mining activities. Most violations involved sand, murum, and soil extraction, underscoring persistent pressure on natural resources in the region. District-wise data revealed that Bhandara reported the highest number of cases at 672, including 637 related to sand mining alone. Of these, 363 offences led to penalties of about Rs5 crore, with Rs2.82 crore recovered and 104 arrests made. Gondia recorded 641 cases, with penalties of Rs3.58 crore, of which Rs3.29 crore has been recovered. In Nagpur district, 261 cases resulted in penalties of Rs4.32 crore, with recoveries reaching Rs3.79 crore. Wardha reported 239 cases with penalties of Rs2.75 crore, of which Rs2.11 crore has been recovered. Chandrapur saw 431 offences, attracting penalties of Rs6.44 crore, with Rs5.41 crore recovered. Gadchiroli recorded 234 cases, with penalties of Rs3.24 crore and recoveries of Rs2.60 crore.#chandrapur_district #bhandara_district #nagpur_division #vijayalakshmi_bidari #gondia_district
HC Steps In As Illegal Mining Threatens 1,200-Year-Old Temple Site The Supreme Court has intervened to address the threat posed by illegal mining activities near a 1,200-year-old temple site in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. The court highlighted the lack of proper care and protection for the prehistoric archaeological site, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent further damage. The temple, believed to date back to the eighth or ninth century during the Rashtrakuta period, is a significant heritage structure that requires immediate conservation efforts. The court’s order came after reviewing reports that detailed the ongoing illegal mining operations in the vicinity of the Bhonda Mahadev temple. The bench noted that such activities are causing substantial harm to the historical site, with large-scale mining threatening its structural integrity. The court directed the Chandrapur collector to personally inspect the mining site and submit a detailed report by April 18. The report must clarify whether any mining permissions were granted and, if not, identify officials responsible for failing to prevent illegal operations. Failure to comply with this directive could result in the collector being required to appear personally before the court on April 20. The Bhonda Mahadev temple, located in Bhatala, is a two-storey structure built from yellow sandstone, standing approximately 50 to 60 feet tall. It features a mandap (hall) and a sanctum containing one of the largest Shiva lingas in the Vidarbha region. The linga, carved from a single block of black stone, measures nearly 10 feet in length and rises about 4 feet from the ground. Locally known as Bhonda Mahadev, the temple lacks a traditional spire, which has led scholars to speculate about its unique architectural design.#supreme_court #chandrapur_district #bhonda_mahadev_temple #rashtrakuta_period #amicus_curiae
Leopard Run Over by Train Near Rajura A sub-adult female leopard was killed after being struck by a train near Wihirgaon Naka in Maharashtra’s Rajura taluka on Saturday morning, raising concerns about the growing threat to wildlife along railway corridors that cut through forested areas. The carcass of the 18-month-old leopard was discovered along a South Central Railway track around 8:40 a.m. within Vihirgaon beat, under the Chanakha round of Rajura range. Forest officials swiftly responded to the incident, arriving at the site shortly after being alerted. A post-mortem examination was conducted by veterinary officer Dr. NP Telange, and the final report is pending. The incident underscores the increasing frequency of human-wildlife conflicts in regions where railway infrastructure intersects with natural habitats. Rajura taluka, part of Chandrapur district, is known for its dense forests and biodiversity, making the area a critical corridor for wildlife movement. The leopard’s death highlights the dangers faced by animals in such zones, where trains often traverse without adequate barriers or wildlife protection measures. Conservationists have previously raised alarms about the impact of railway expansion on local ecosystems, citing similar incidents in the region. Forest officials have emphasized the need for stricter monitoring and safety protocols to prevent such encounters. The post-mortem report is expected to provide insights into the leopard’s health and the circumstances of its death, which could inform future conservation strategies. However, the immediate focus remains on addressing the broader issue of habitat fragmentation and the risks posed by infrastructure development to wildlife.#chandrapur_district #rajura_taluka #south_central_railway #dr_np_telange #vihirgaon_beat
Pant replaces Gowda as Chandrapur collector Chandrapur: The state government announced on Thursday that Nagpur additional municipal commissioner Vasumana Pant has been appointed as the new collector of Chandrapur district, replacing Vinay Gowda GC. Gowda, who served as collector since October 2022, will now take up the role of collector in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The government also appointed Ankit, the current Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar ZP CEO, as Pant’s successor in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Gowda’s tenure as Chandrapur collector was marked by significant administrative reforms and public service improvements. His leadership contributed to Chandrapur securing the top rank in Maharashtra’s 100-Day Office Reform Campaign, a state initiative aimed at streamlining government operations. Under his guidance, the district also surpassed targets in the Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP), achieving 135.38 per cent of its 2024-25 goal. This success highlighted a focus on fostering local entrepreneurship and job creation. Gowda’s efforts in child welfare earned him the Balsnehi Puraskar, an award recognizing the implementation of schemes for children under 14 years. Additionally, the Jiwati taluka, under his administration, received a gold medal from Niti Aayog’s Sampoornta Abhiyan for meeting all key development indicators. These achievements underscored his commitment to holistic development and efficient governance. Pant, who has been serving as Nagpur’s additional municipal commissioner, is credited with enhancing civic services during his tenure.#chhatrapati_sambhajinagar #niti_aayog #chandrapur_district #nagpur_additional_municipal_commissioner #vinay_gowda_gc
Mathura Tai's 54-Year Struggle: From Custodial Rape to Belated Rehabilitation In the twilight of her life, Mathura Tai, a 70-year-old tribal woman from Chandrapur district, continues to endure the physical and emotional scars of a 1972 custodial rape that sparked a national reckoning over India’s justice system. Her 54-year-long battle for recognition, rehabilitation, and dignity has finally begun to bear fruit, albeit belatedly, as government aid and public pressure converge to address her plight. Yet, her journey remains a poignant reminder of the systemic neglect faced by survivors of sexual violence, particularly those from marginalized communities. Mathura’s ordeal began on March 26, 1972, when two police constables—Head Constable Tukaram and Constable Ganpat—raped her while she was in custody at the Desaiganj police station in Gadchiroli. The incident, which shocked the nation, led to a landmark legal battle. The Bombay High Court initially convicted the officers in 1975, but the Supreme Court overturned the verdict in 1979, citing a lack of visible injuries and questioning whether Mathura had consented. This flawed ruling ignited widespread outrage, prompting protests from women’s groups, lawyers, and activists. The case became a catalyst for legal reform, culminating in the 1983 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, which strengthened protections for rape survivors and addressed custodial abuse. Despite these legal advancements, Mathura’s personal struggle persisted. For decades, she lived in poverty, her health deteriorating as she faced neglect from both the state and her family. Her sons, who inherited her legacy, initially showed little interest in her well-being, leaving her to fend for herself in a crumbling hut.#maharashtra_government #gadchiroli #chandrapur_district #mathura_tai #desaiganj_police_station
Tiger attacks claim 2 lives in Chandrapur Two separate tiger attacks in Chandrapur district have resulted in the deaths of a villager and a woman, highlighting the growing tension between humans and wildlife in the region’s forested areas. This brings the total number of fatalities from predator attacks this year to 11, with 10 attributed to tigers and one to a leopard. The first incident occurred on Wednesday evening in the Maregaon beat of the Sindewahi forest range. An 81-year-old villager, Baliram Pendam from Maregaon, was killed while collecting mahua flowers in the nearby forest. According to reports, a tiger attacked Pendam, fatally mauling him around his neck. Forest department officials rushed to the scene after receiving alerts and provided immediate financial assistance to his family. Authorities have since increased patrols in the area, issued warnings to residents, and installed six camera traps to monitor the tiger’s movements. In another incident on the same day, a 45-year-old woman, Pramila Watghure from Talodhi, was killed in a tiger attack in the Talodhi-Balapur forest range. Watghure was collecting firewood near Savarla village with a group of women when the tiger struck, killing her on the spot in Compartment No. 89, a region known for frequent wildlife activity. Her companions raised the alarm, prompting a swift response from villagers and forest officials. A team led by range forest officer Arup Kannamwar arrived at the scene and found the tiger had dragged her body nearly 150 meters to a grassy patch near a water source. Police conducted a panchnama and sent the body for post-mortem analysis. The Forest Department has provided initial compensation to Watghure’s family and installed surveillance cameras in the area.#forest_department #tiger_attacks #chandrapur_district #baliram_pendam #pramila_watghure
