APHC010082452026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI W.P(PIL).No.38 of 2026 Bench Sr.No:-3 [3552] Sunkara Sita Rama Raju @ Sitaram ...Petitioner Vs. The State of A.P. and others ...Respondents ********** Advocate for petitioner : Sri V. V. Satish Advocate for respondents : Sri Bolla Venkata Rama Rao, learned Standing Counsel for A.P. Pollution Control Board. CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN DATE : 25th February 2026 P C : The issue that has been highlighted in the present petition is with regard to some illegal sand mining activity being undertaken by unscrupulous elements in Coastal Regulation Zone IV B in Koderu and Karugurumilli, H/o.Muthyalavaripalem; Bhimalapuram, Ravilanka and Putchalanka, H/o. Ayodyalanka Village of Aachanta Mandal; and Nadipudi, Sidantham and Madhyasthalanka, H/o. Sidantham of Penugonda Mandal, West Godavari District. 2. According to the information received through the Right to Information Act, 2005 and furnished by the District Mines and Minerals Department, 2 Bhimavaram, it is stated that no permission for mining sand has been allowed or sanctioned for these mandals. 3. On the contrary, the stand of the official respondents is that the Department of Mines and Minerals regularly conducts inspection and enforces penalty on any illegal excavation which is found to be indulged in by the concerned and recently, it is stated that a penalty of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakhs only) was imposed and collected vide challan No.01127346472025 dated 24.07.2025 for illegal storage of sand. 4. We are not sure as to whether the penalty which was imposed and collected on 24.07.2025 was in regard to the same incident of illegal sand mining which is now been highlighted by the petitioner in the present petition. However, we direct the official respondents and in particular, the District Collector, West Godavari District to ensure through the police agencies that there is no illegal sand mining activity which is permitted in the said region. 5. Accordingly, the Writ Petition (PIL) is disposed of. No order as to costs. Miscellaneous Petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR, CJ CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J AMD 3 122 HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR, CHIEF JUSTICE & HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN W.P(PIL).No.38 of 2026 Dt:25.02.2026 AMD