Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party, has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to testify on Thursday, February 29, regarding an illegal mining case in the Hamirpur region of Uttar Pradesh. Five years have passed since the case was first brought before this summons.
In accordance with Section 160 of the CrPC, the CBI summoned Akhilesh Yadav to appear in person in Delhi. Police personnel are authorised by this provision to call witnesses in the course of an investigation.
About the Case
In 2016, the Allahabad High Court instructed the CBI to conduct seven preliminary inquiries into the illegal mining of minor minerals, focusing on the alleged issuance of mining leases that violated the e-tendering process. The court issued this order in response to its concerns about the lack of progress being made in resolving the unlawful mining situation.
The High Court underlined in its decision the need for action to stop the irresponsible use of natural resources. It asked the CBI to look into any possibility of state authorities being involved in illicit mining. Based on this direction, the CBI subsequently filed a formal complaint in January 2019.
Allegedly while Akhilesh Yadav served as chief minister during 2012-2016 and was responsible for the mining portfolio during 2012-13, he permitted public servants illegal mining activities and unlawfully renewed licences despite a National Green Tribunal ban on mining. The FIR alleges that illegal mining resulted in financial losses for the state, with officials exploiting their positions for personal gain.
Following Yadav's tenure, Gayatri Prajapati assumed the role of mining minister in 2013. Prajapati was subsequently arrested in 2017 following allegations of rape.
The FIR identifies 11 individuals, along with unnamed public servants, who allegedly facilitated the illegal mining of minor minerals in Hamirpur. An investigation revealed that these government servants collaborated to unlawfully issue new leases, renew existing ones, and extend periods for leaseholders without adhering to proper tendering procedures.
The FIR comprises charges of criminal conspiracy, theft, extortion, cheating, attempted offenses, and misconduct. It is alleged that these officers facilitated mineral theft and extorted money from leaseholders and drivers.
According to officials, the agency alleged that the office of the then chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, cleared 13 projects in a single day. They claimed that Yadav, who also held the mining portfolio for a period, approved 14 leases, with 13 granted on February 17, 2013, in violation of the e-tendering process.
According to the CBI, on that day, the leases were approved by the district magistrate of Hamirpur, B Chandrakala, after receiving clearance from the Chief Minister’s office, contravening rules in place since 2012.
In January 2019, the CBI conducted searches at 14 locations in connection with this case involving 11 individuals. Those targeted included IAS officer B Chandrakala, Samajwadi Party MLC Ramesh Kumar Mishra, and Sanjay Dixit, who ran for the 2017 assembly election on a BSP ticket. The investigation centered on the alleged illegal mining of minor minerals in Hamirpur district from 2012 to 2016.
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