The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to launch a detailed investigation into the disappearance of over 4,000 tonnes of coal and take action against officials found negligent. The court raised serious concerns over monitoring failures and lapses in regulatory oversight.

Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla, speaking to reporters on Monday, suggested that the missing coal may have been washed away due to heavy rainfall. “Meghalaya receives the highest rainfall. You never know… because of rain, the coal might have swept away. Chances are very high,” he said.

The incident has brought renewed scrutiny to coal storage practices and enforcement of regulations in the state.