CBI Summons Former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav as Witness in Illegal Mining Case
CBI Calls Akhilesh Yadav as Witness in Hamirpur Illegal Mining Scandal.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday as a witness in a case concerning illegal mining activities in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district. The federal agency issued a notice under Section 160 of the CrPC, directing Yadav to appear for questioning in Delhi in connection with an FIR registered against illegal mining operations spanning from 2012 to 2016.
The FIR, lodged for offenses including criminal conspiracy, theft, extortion, cheating, and attempt to commit offenses and misconduct, named 11 individuals alongside unidentified public servants allegedly involved in permitting illegal mining of minor minerals in Hamirpur during the specified timeframe.
According to the investigation, the illicit mining activities resulted in substantial losses to the state exchequer, with officials purportedly abusing their authority for personal gain. It was found that government servants, in collusion, unlawfully granted fresh leases, renewed existing ones, and allowed extended periods for existing leaseholders without adhering to proper tendering procedures. Furthermore, unauthorized individuals were permitted to extract minor minerals, engage in theft, and extort money from leaseholders and vehicle drivers transporting the minerals.
The genesis of the CBI’s involvement in the case traces back to July 2016 when the Allahabad High Court intervened, directing a CBI inquiry due to the authorities’ apparent failure to curtail the illegal mining activities in Hamirpur. Expressing dismay over the rampant exploitation of natural resources, the High Court emphasized the need for decisive action, particularly concerning collusion with state authorities. Consequently, the CBI initiated its probe, culminating in the filing of an FIR in January 2019.
Akhilesh Yadav’s summons by the CBI adds a significant dimension to the investigation, as he is expected to provide insights into the alleged irregularities during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. As the case unfolds, the spotlight remains on uncovering the full extent of the illicit mining network and holding all involved parties accountable for their actions.
