The Devakottai Sub-Collector Ayush Venkat Vats has slapped a hefty fine of ₹91 crore against the illegal stone quarry, which functioned in Singampunari and had claimed the lives of six workers in May.
Following the death, District Collector Asha Ajith had ordered the closure and sealed the unit. The officials from the Department of Mines had registered a case against the quarry.
The investigations revealed that the licence to the quarry owned by A Megavarnam of Singampunari had expired in September 2024. However, it was operating illegally. In May 2025, six workers died while working in the quarry. Since then, the owner had been at large.
Based on the discreet probe conducted by the officials using drones, Mr Ayush Venkat Vats had slapped the fine for illegal mining to the tune of 26,775 cubic metres and for other violations totalling ₹91 crore to be remitted in the government’s treasury account. The order has also given the liberty of preferring an appeal before the District Collector within 30 days, officials said.
Published – June 19, 2025 07:30 pm IST
