Shocker for UP govt: Alld HC orders CBI probe in illegal mining

Allahabad: Making some harsh observations on the stand of Uttar Pradesh government with regards to mining , the Allahabad High Court on Thursday ordered CBI probe into illegal mining in the state. The Court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit it's preliminary report within 6 weeks in respect of illegal mining in the entire state and involvement of officials nexus.

The order was passed by a Bench comprising acting chief justice VK Shukla and justice MC Tripathi while hearing Public Interest Litigation (PILs) filed by Vijay Kumar Dwivedi and several others. It must have come as a shock to UP government ahead of assembly elections in the state specially when the Court had also asked the CBI to unearth nexus of government functionaries with those involved in such activities.

Petitioner’s contention was that mining leases of several lessees had been unlawfully extended by authorities, though it expired on May 31, 2012, on the ground that during lease period they could not mine on their land because of stay order granted by Court. The High Court had restrained the Principal Secretary (mining) and other concerned officers to stop illegal excavation of mines and minerals but the mining was not stopped.