CJM orders FIR against Dima Hasao CEM’s wife Kanika Hojai over Umrangso rat-hole mining tragedy

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 6, 2025

In a significant development linked to the tragic mine collapse at 3 Kilo in Umrangso, which claimed over 20 lives, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Dima Hasao, S. Chanda, has ordered the officer-in-charge of Umrangso Police Station to register a case against Kanika Hojai, wife of Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Debolal Hojai. The directive comes in response to a criminal petition filed by Pitush Langthasa, who has alleged illegal mining activity directly involving Kanika Hojai.

The court also instructed the Superintendent of Police, Dima Hasao, to communicate the order to the Director General of Police (DGP), Assam, who has already constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The next hearing is scheduled for April 23, when the court will review compliance with the directive.

Langthasa, supported by fellow petitioner Kome Kemprai, had earlier approached the Umrangso police on January 10 to file a formal complaint under multiple laws, including Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Environment Protection Act (1986), Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (1957), and the Forest Conservation Act (1980). He alleged that illegal rat-hole mining at the 3 Kilo site was being operated under the patronage of Kanika Hojai, with documentation — including a transit pass issued by AMDC — identifying her as a registered coal customer.

Despite the severity of the allegations, the police only made a General Diary (GD) entry and failed to register an FIR or initiate an investigation. Following this, Langthasa filed another complaint with the Dima Hasao SP on January 17, seeking action and proper inquiry, but claimed that no follow-up was made.

In its order, the CJM court stated that the January 10 complaint revealed details significantly different from those reported in an earlier complaint filed by Prasenjit Kemprai, a senior manager at AMDC, on January 7, immediately after the tragedy. While Kemprai’s complaint focused on unregulated coal mining by miscreants, Langthasa’s petition pointed to a deeper conspiracy, naming Kanika Hojai as a key figure allegedly benefitting from rat-hole mining despite National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court bans.

“The complaint dated January 10 clearly indicates a larger conspiracy and attempts to bring to light facts unknown till date but relevant for a just investigation,” the court stated.

In light of these findings, the CJM directed the Umrangso OC to register the complaint as an FIR under appropriate legal provisions and to conduct a thorough investigation.

The court acknowledged that the Umrangso PS Case No. 2/2025, registered following the January 7 complaint, is already under investigation by the SIT led by CID DSP Upen Kalita, as per directions from the Assam DGP. However, it stated that the January 10 complaint warrants separate and immediate attention due to its broader scope.

The court also requested the Dima Hasao SP to forward the new directive to the DGP to avoid jurisdictional confusion and ensure a comprehensive inquiry.

The rat-hole mining tragedy at 3 Kilo continues to draw public outcry and legal scrutiny. The deaths of over 20 miners, allegedly due to unregulated and illegal mining operations, have spotlighted both administrative lapses and possible collusion involving high-ranking individuals. The petitioners have demanded accountability not just from unauthorized miners, but from those enabling and profiting from the practice under official cover.

The case, now being closely watched across Assam, is likely to intensify as investigations progress and new evidence surfaces. The court’s latest directive underscores growing pressure on law enforcement to act transparently and decisively in the face of mounting allegations of corruption and criminal negligence.