CBI summons Akhilesh Yadav in illegal mining case: Report
What's the story
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in connection with an illegal mining case, reports said. The CBI issued a notice under Section 160 of CrPC, summoning Yadav to appear before the federal agency in Delhi on Thursday for questioning. He served as the head of the mining department in Uttar Pradesh from 2012 until June 2013.
CBI notice
CBI probing illegal mining incidents in UP
The CBI notice is related to an FIR filed over alleged illegal mining in Uttar Pradesh's Hamirpur district between 2012 and 2016. The FIR includes charges of criminal conspiracy, theft, extortion, cheating, attempt to commit offenses, and misconduct. Between 2012 and 2016, 11 people were named in the FIR along with unknown public servants who allegedly allowed illegal mining of minor minerals in Hamirpur.
CBI's FIR
'Tendering procedures not adhered for mining leases'
Government officials, in collusion with each other, unlawfully issued new leases, renewed existing ones, and allowed interrupted periods for current leaseholders without adhering to tendering procedures, the CBI FIR said. People were also permitted to unlawfully extract minor minerals, engage in theft of said minerals, and extort money from both leaseholders and drivers transporting the minerals, it added.
Background
In 2016, Allahabad HC ordered CBI probe into illegal mining
In July 2016, the Allahabad High Court, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of action to control illegal mining in Hamirpur, ordered for a CBI investigation. It instructed the CBI to report on whether the illegal mining involved collusion with state authorities. Subsequently, the CBI filed an FIR in January 2019 regarding the matter.