The Central Bureau of Investigation-CBI has called upon Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, to appear as a witness in connection with the illegal mining case in Uttar Pradesh, on February 29.
Issuing the notice under Section 160 of the CrPC, the CBI requested Yadav to present himself before the federal agency in Delhi for questioning on Thursday.
This development arises from an FIR registered concerning alleged illegal mining activities in Hamirpur spanning from 2012 to 2016. The FIR encompasses charges of criminal conspiracy, theft, extortion, cheating, and attempted offenses and misconduct.
The investigation suggests that government officials unlawfully granted fresh leases, renewed existing ones, and facilitated obstructed periods for current leaseholders without adhering to proper tendering protocols. Furthermore, individuals purportedly engaged in unauthorised excavation of minor minerals, theft thereof, and extortion from leaseholders and vehicle drivers transporting said minerals.
Responding to these developments, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing the party of apprehension towards the INDIA bloc. Yadav pledged to take action against Rebel MLAs, who crossed party lines to vote for the BJP in the recent Rajya Sabha elections.
In the Rajya Sabha polls, the BJP clinched eight out of the 10 contested seats, while the SP secured two. The electoral dynamics were altered after the BJP fielded an additional candidate, former RS MP Sanjay Seth, who ultimately emerged victorious with the support of seven SP MLAs who defected.
In another development, the SP received a boost with Bahujan Samaj Party leader and former MLA Shah Alam, also known as Guddu Jamali, switching sides ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Alam joined the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow in the presence of party president Akhilesh Yadav.
