Chandigarh, Oct. 21 -- The Punjab mining department has failed to provide information sought by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing illegal mining in Hoshiarpur district.

A central probe agency launched an investigation last week at the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In its order, the high court cited concerns over ecological destruction and possible collusion by state authorities and asked the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry to identify those responsible. The order was passed on September 18 and released on October 9.

In an eight-page letter sent to the director mining on October 14, a DIG-rank officer heading the probe sought a reply within five days.

The letter said that, given the time-...