Supreme Court directs JP Ventures to deposit 18 cr fine

Vijayawada: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed JP Ventures to deposit the fine of Rs 18 crore imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an illegal sand mining case. The apex court earlier stayed the order of the NGT in an appeal filed by JP Ventures. However, after reviewing the affidavit filed by Danda Nagendra Kumar and also by the state govt on the extent of illegal mining done during the previous YSRCP regime, Supreme Court vacated the stay and directed the penalty amount to be deposited within two weeks.The apex court further pointed out the differences in the affidavits filed by Nagendra Kumar and the state govt over the extent of illegal mining. The bench directed the state govt to examine the affidavit filed by Nagendra Kumar and file a fresh affidavit. The SC also directed the ministry of environment, forests and climate change to monitor the illegal mining issue.The bench further inquired about the status of recoveries from those who violated norms and resorted to illegal mining, and directed that those involved in be included as party respondents and issued notices to them. The SC further suggested that the high court decide the petitions filed over the payment of penalties expeditiously.