286 SAND TRUCKS FINED IN 3 SECONDS, FIR LODGED

286 SAND TRUCKS FINED IN 3 SECONDS, FIR LODGED

19-DEC-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------------On September 8, "Tarunmitra" published a news report titled "Unique Method: Mining Department Issues Fines to 286 Sand Trucks in Just 3 Seconds, a Big Scam?". Following instructions from ADG EOU Nayyar Hasnain Khan, an FIR has been registered against four illegal sand traders at Bikram Police Station in Patna district. The four sand mafia members accused are Rana Uday Pratap Singh, Rana Saurabh, Raju Pratap Singh, and Pintu Kumar. FIR proceedings are also underway in Arwal.

The secretary of the Adhikar Foundation submitted an application to the Economic Offenses Unit, presenting the news report published by Tarunmitra as evidence. Following this, ADG Nayyar Hasnain Khan constituted a task force under the leadership of DIG Manavjit Singh. The EOU team found the allegations to be prima facie true. 85% of the trucks from outside Bihar were found to have illegally stored sand, which was then uploaded to the Mining Department's portal using fraudulent methods.

Before the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the recent assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister and Mining Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha took cognizance of the news report and directed the Principal Secretary to investigate and take action, and also instructed that the matter be sent to the Vigilance Department. The EOU is the nodal agency for investigating illegal sand trading. Last Tuesday, the EOU task force reviewed the investigation conducted by District Mining Officer Kartik Kumar, after which Mining Inspector Uttam Mani registered case number 604/25 at Bikram Police Station.