CBI summons Akhilesh Yadav as witness in UP illegal mining case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in connection with an illegal mining case. Yadav has been directed to appear before the agency in the national capital tomorrow as a witness.

Why is Akhilesh Yadav summoned?

The notice served to Yadav falls under section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), granting officers the authority to require the attendance of witnesses. The case stems from the CBI's investigation into an FIR lodged in January 2019 regarding alleged illegal mining activities in Hamirpur district between 2012 and 2016.

CBI has asked former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav to appear before the agency in a High Court-referred case related to sand mining. He has been asked to join the investigation as a witness before the CBI in Delhi on 29 February: CBI sources

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/0cHrwWw021

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

In the initial FIR filed in January 2019, the district magistrate and mining officer were named. The allegations in the FIR suggest the involvement of government officials in permitting the illegal extraction of minerals in Hamirpur.

The CBI's scrutiny surrounding 14 mining tenders was approved during Akhilesh Yadav's tenure as Chief Minister between 2012 and 2013. Reports indicate that a total of 22 tenders approved by the UP government between 2012 and 2016 are under investigation, with 14 falling within Yadav's term.

Raid on SP and BSP leaders' premise

In 2019, the CBI conducted raids on the premises of some leaders affiliated with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in connection with the illegal mining case. However, Akhilesh Yadav and other opposition parties alleged political misuse of the probe agency by the BJP government.

A government official highlighted that the lease violations occurred during Akhilesh Yadav's tenure as the mining minister. Notably, the Chief Minister's office acknowledgment is required for leases exceeding Rs 5 lakh.

ED seized properties worth Rs 36.94 crore in January

Earlier in January, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches on two locations associated with former minister Gayatri Prajapati in Mumbai. The probe agency seized properties worth Rs 36.94 crore, including 57 bank accounts, belonging to Prajapati and his family in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The market value of the seized properties was estimated at Rs 55 crore.