Team Goemkarponn
SANGUEM: Sanguem Police have registered a case against three persons for illegally extracting laterite stones in an eco-sensitive zone of Sanguem taluka.
Based on a complaint lodged by Sidharth Prabhu, Executive Magistrate and In-charge of the Flying Squad, Sanguem taluka, police said the action followed a report received from the In-charge Range Forest Officer, Range Forest Office, Sanguem.
According to the complaint, prior to January 8, 2026, at village Naiquinim in Sanguem taluka, the accused — Anand Gaonkar, Francis D’Costa and Richard Fernandes — allegedly extracted laterite stones illegally from three pits without obtaining the mandatory permission from the Directorate of Mines and Geology.
Police further stated that the illegal quarrying activity was carried out at a location approximately 545 metres from the boundary of the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. As the area falls within the eco-sensitive zone, such activities are prohibited under existing regulations.
An offence has been registered in the matter, and further investigation is being conducted by PSI Pradhyumna Keny of Sanguem Police Station.
