Bandipora, April 22 -- Suhail Rather

A local court in Bandipora has acquitted an accused in an illegal mining case, holding that prosecution under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act cannot proceed without a mandatory complaint by an authorised officer.

The Additional Sessions Court in Bandipora has acquitted Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat in a case registered under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, ruling that the prosecution was vitiated due to the absence of a mandatory complaint by an authorised officer, a legal prerequisite for taking cognisance of offences under the Act.

The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Bandipora, Mir Wajahat who was designated as Special Judge for...