The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav in connection with a five-year-old illegal mining case in Uttar Pradesh. Yadav has been called to appear before the probe agency as a witness on February 29.
The summons, issued under section 160 of CrPC, allows police officers to request witnesses to provide testimony during investigations, as per reports from news agency PTI.
The illegal mining case in Uttar Pradesh revolves around allegations of mining leases being granted in violation of the e-tendering process. It is alleged that between 2012 and 2016, public officials, in collusion with others, permitted illegal mining of Minor Minerals in UP’s Hamirpur district and unlawfully renewed licenses despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on mining. Furthermore, it is claimed that officials allowed mineral theft and extorted money from lease-holders and drivers.
In 2016, the CBI initiated seven preliminary inquiries following directives from the Allahabad High Court to investigate illegal mining. In 2019, the probe agency conducted searches in various locations in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
According to the CBI, Akhilesh Yadav, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh at the time, approved 13 mining projects on February 17, 2013, in violation of the e-tendering process. Allegedly, these clearances were granted by Hamirpur’s district magistrate, B Chandrakala, with approval from the chief minister’s office.
It is noteworthy that Yadav also held the mining portfolio during 2012-13, raising questions about his involvement. He was succeeded by Gayatri Prajapati in 2013, who was arrested in 2017 on rape charges filed by a woman from Chitrakoot.
