OBJECTIVE
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Prevention of illegal mining, transportation, storage, and sale of sand, soil, gravel, and other minor minerals.
Protection of government revenue and natural resources.
Identification of persons involved in illegal excavation, transportation, storage, and sale.
Seizure of vehicles, machinery, and illegally transported material.
Collection of documentary, scientific, and electronic evidence.
Conducting a professional, lawful, and qualitative investigation.
KEY INVESTIGATION OBJECTIVES
A. Identification of Offenders
Excavators.
Transporters.
Vehicle owners.
Contractors.
Financiers.
Receivers and purchasers.
B. Documentary Evidence
Transit permits.
E-permits.
Way bills.
Vehicle documents.
Mining permissions.
C. Scientific and Technical Evidence
Revenue Department Report.
Mines and Geology Department Report.
Survey Reports.
GPS and Electronic Evidence.
D. Protection of Government Revenue
Prevention of illegal extraction and transportation.
Recovery of penalties and dues under law.
APPLICABLE LEGAL PROVISIONS
The IO shall invoke appropriate provisions under:
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act)
Section 4 – Prohibition of unauthorized mining operations.
Section 21 – Penalties for illegal mining and transportation.
Relevant State Minor Mineral Concession Rules
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
Where applicable for:
Theft of Government Property.
Criminal Conspiracy.
Forgery of Permits.
Obstruction of Public Servants.
Disobedience of Lawful Orders.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
Environmental Protection Laws
I. RECEIPT OF INFORMATION
Receive complaint or credible information.
Record source information promptly.
Inform superior officers where required.
Organize interception team immediately.
II. INTERCEPTION OF VEHICLE
Stop the vehicle safely.
Prevent escape of vehicle and offenders.
Record:
Date and time.
Exact location.
Vehicle registration number.
Driver particulars.
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude).
III. REGISTRATION OF CASE
Register FIR or initiate proceedings as per applicable law.
Send copies to concerned officers.
Record statements of complainant and witnesses.
Inform concerned Mining and Revenue authorities.
IV. SCENE OF OCCURRENCE INVESTIGATION
The IO shall:
Visit the interception point and excavation site.
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama.
Prepare Rough Sketch.
Conduct Photography and Videography.
The following shall be documented:
Quantity of sand/soil/mineral.
Type of mineral.
Vehicle details.
Excavation location.
Loading point.
Storage point.
V. DOCUMENT VERIFICATION
The IO shall verify:
Mineral Transport Documents
Transit Permit.
E-Permit.
Dispatch Permit.
Delivery Challan.
Transport Pass.
Vehicle Documents
Registration Certificate (RC).
Driving Licence.
Insurance.
Permit.
Fitness Certificate.
VI. SEIZURE OF VEHICLE AND MATERIAL
The IO shall seize:
Vehicles
Lorries.
Tippers.
Tractors.
Trailers.
Excavators.
JCBs.
Earth Movers.
Material
Sand.
Soil.
Gravel.
Other minor minerals.
All seized property shall be documented in Panchanama.
VII. EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
The IO shall examine:
Driver.
Vehicle owner.
Contractor.
Mine operator.
Local witnesses.
Revenue officials.
Mining officials.
Statements shall be recorded promptly.
VIII. REVENUE AND MINING DEPARTMENT REPORTS
The IO shall obtain:
Revenue Department Report
Regarding:
Government land.
Ownership status.
Encroachment details.
Mines and Geology Report
Regarding:
Legality of excavation.
Quantity extracted.
Nature of mineral.
Validity of permits.
IX. ELECTRONIC AND TECHNICAL EVIDENCE
The IO shall collect:
GPS data.
Vehicle tracking records.
CCTV footage.
Toll plaza records.
FASTag transaction history.
Mobile phone records.
Digital permits.
X. INVESTIGATION OF SOURCE
The IO shall ascertain:
Location of excavation.
Ownership of land.
Authority for excavation.
Quantity removed.
Destination of material.
Persons benefiting from illegal activity.
XI. INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIZED NETWORK
The IO shall verify:
Habitual offenders.
Illegal mining syndicates.
Contractor involvement.
Revenue loss.
Interstate transportation.
Political or financial backing.
Where required, intelligence shall be shared with:
Mining Department.
Revenue Department.
Transport Department.
Neighboring Police Stations.
XII. ARREST OF ACCUSED
Where offences are established:
Arrest accused persons according to law.
Follow legal safeguards under CrPC/BNSS.
Prepare:
Arrest Memo.
Personal Search Memo.
Grounds of Arrest.
XIII. ASSESSMENT OF LOSS
The IO shall obtain:
Valuation Certificate.
Revenue Loss Report.
Assessment Report from competent authority.
The report shall indicate:
Quantity illegally extracted.
Market value.
Government loss.
XIV. COURT PROCEEDINGS
The IO shall:
Produce seized vehicles and property before competent authority/Court.
Oppose release where legally justified.
Seek confiscation proceedings where applicable.
Maintain liaison with Public Prosecutor.
XV. CHARGE SHEET
The Draft Charge Sheet shall establish:
Illegal Excavation
Place of excavation.
Quantity extracted.
Lack of permission.
Illegal Transportation
Route.
Vehicle details.
Absence of valid permit.
Scientific and Documentary Evidence
Revenue Report.
Mining Department Report.
GPS Records.
CCTV Footage.
Witness Evidence
Independent witnesses.
Government officials.
Seizure witnesses.
Opinion of PP/APPO shall be obtained before filing.
XVI. FINAL REPORT
Correlate oral, documentary, technical, and scientific evidence.
Establish illegal extraction and transportation.
Establish role of each accused.
Submit Charge Sheet/Final Report within stipulated time.
RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTIGATING OFFICER
The IO shall ensure:
Immediate interception and seizure.
Proper preservation of evidence.
Collection of Revenue and Mining Department reports.
Identification of all persons involved.
Protection of Government revenue and natural resources.
Timely prosecution of offenders.
GOAL
To prevent illegal mining and transportation of sand, soil, and minor minerals, protect natural resources and government revenue, dismantle illegal mining networks, and secure conviction through scientific, documentary, technical, and legally admissible evidence.