MADURAI | Jan 28, 2015: The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Wednesday ordered notice to the central and state governments on the illegal beach sand mining activities in the coastal villages of Kanyakumari district.

Madurai-based advocate V Ramesh filed a public interest litigation in the court alleging that illegal sand mining, cutting down of trees and poaching of peacocks were taking place in Maravankudieruppu, Kinnikannavilai and Ilanthavadivilai villages in the district.

The petitioner alleged that 22 private persons, including sand baron S Vaikundarajan, were involved in the illegal activities.

When the matter came up for admission, the division bench of justices Dr S Tamilvanan and V S Ravi ordered notice to the governments and the accused persons.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)