Today (28th February), The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party, as a witness in an illegal mining case in Uttar Pradesh. The case centers around alleged irregularities in mining lease issuance, breaching e-tendering processes, as directed by the Allahabad High Court. Akhilesh Yadav, who served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2017, faces scrutiny for actions taken during his tenure, including the approval of multiple mining projects allegedly in violation of established procedures. The CBI’s summons underscores the ongoing investigation into illegal mining practices during Yadav’s administration.
ALLAHABAD, UTTAR PRADESH: Today, on 28th February, The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has called upon Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party, to appear as a witness on Thursday, February 29, in connection with the illegal mining case in Uttar Pradesh. This case revolves around the alleged irregularities in the issuance of mining leases, breaching the e-tendering process, as directed by the Allahabad High Court.
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Under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the CBI has issued a notice to Akhilesh Yadav, mandating his presence before the investigative agency in Delhi for questioning. This legal provision empowers law enforcement to summon witnesses during the course of an investigation.
The investigation alleges that during 2012-2016, while Akhilesh Yadav served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, public servants permitted illegal mining activities and unlawfully renewed licenses despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.
It is further claimed that officials turned a blind eye to mineral theft and engaged in extortion from lease-holders and drivers involved in mineral transportation.
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In response to directives from the Allahabad High Court, the CBI initiated seven preliminary enquiries in 2016 to probe the illegal mining of minor minerals.
According to officials, the CBI found that the Chief Minister’s office under Akhilesh Yadav approved 13 projects in a single day, raising suspicions of procedural violations.
Akhilesh Yadav, who also held the mining portfolio for a period, allegedly approved 14 leases, with 13 of them granted on February 17, 2013, bypassing the mandated e-tendering process.
Having served as the state’s Chief Minister from 2012 to 2017, Akhilesh Yadav’s involvement in the mining portfolio during 2012-13 is under scrutiny, as per the FIR.
The CBI FIR further alleges that individuals were allowed to unlawfully excavate minor minerals, engage in theft, and extort money from leaseholders and transporters.
On another front, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the BJP, accusing them of disrupting the political landscape and influencing other parties. He has pledged to take action against rebel MLAs who sided with the BJP in the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
In the Rajya Sabha elections, the BJP secured 8 out of 10 seats contested, while the SP clinched two seats. The elections were marred by controversy as the BJP fielded an additional candidate, Sanjay Seth, who ultimately secured victory after seven SP MLAs defected and cross-voted.