CBI summons Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday in illegal sand mining case

NEW DELHI: CBI has summoned UP ex-CM Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday in connection with its

probe

into a

high court-monitored case

linked to illegal sand mining. Notice has been served under Section 160 of CrPC, suggesting his statement will be recorded in capacity of a witness as of now.
The SP chief, who has been asked to appear at the agency's headquarters in Delhi, said, "It happens when elections are round the corner.

I got a CBI notice in 2019 before Lok Sabha polls. Now, it's again time for polls and I have got a notice."
The case pertains to illegal mining between 2012 and 2016 in UP's Hamirpur district when SP was in office.
'13 projects cleared in one day' when Akhilesh held mining portfolio

Then minister for mining Gayatri Prajapati was alleged to have illegally granted fresh leases and renewed existing ones in a manner that caused heavy losses to state exchequer and undue gain to him and his associates. CBI entered the scene in July 2016 following a directive from Allahabad HC, which said natural resources could not be permitted to be looted and asked the agency to probe suspected collusion of govt officials.

CBI had claimed that senior UP officials had cleared 13 projects in a single day on Feb 17, 2013, in gross violation of laid down procedures. Akhilesh, who was CM then, held the mining portfolio during 2012-13. Thereafter, Prajapati took over as mining minister.
Eleven people were named in the FIR along with unknown public servants for allegedly misusing their position to allow illegal mining of minor minerals. CBI's inquiry found that officials had illegally granted fresh leases, renewed existing leases and permitted obstructed periods for existing leaseholders, without following a tendering procedure.