CHENNAI: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has accused the DMK government of protecting illegal quarry operators and enabling large-scale mineral loot, warning that people will teach the ruling party a lesson in the coming elections.

In a statement, Anbumani said the state government informed the Madras High Court that 1,439 mineral quarries had functioned illegally between 2020 and November 2025. However, he alleged that those involved in mineral plunder have not been punished in any manner, which he termed "highly condemnable".

He referred to a case filed in the High Court seeking directions to curb illegal sand and mineral quarrying. During the hearing, data submitted by the Commissioner of Geology and Mining revealed that while 1,439 illegal quarries were identified, only 135 cases were registered. The government's report, he pointed out, did not specify how many quarries were covered under these cases or how many offenders were punished.

Quoting observations of the High Court judges, Anbumani said the court questioned the utility of imposing a fine of just Rs. 5 lakh when minerals worth Rs. 5 crore were illegally extracted from a quarry. The judges also remarked that mineral looters function like mafias with political and financial backing, a charge he said was entirely accurate, he added.

Anbumani alleged that mineral loot worth at least Rs. 1,000 crore occurred in southern districts under the DMK regime, with none punished and no compensation recovered. He further cited an attack on senior advocate V Suresh during a public hearing as proof of the mafia-like nature of illegal mining.