New Delhi, November 22
Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested two persons in illegal mining case pertaining to Beas River, Himachal Pradesh and Yamuna River, Saharanpur (UP).
The accused were identified as Gian Chand and Sanjay Dhiman,
ED had received formal complaints and intelligence inputs alleging illegal sand and mineral mining operations on the river bed of the Beas river by several mining mafias including Gian Chand and Proceeds of Crime (POC) to the tune of hundreds of crores have been generated through these illegal mining operations.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of Six FIRs registered by different police stations in the districts of Kangra and Una in Himachal Pradesh relating to illegal mining. As per the FIRs, it has been alleged that illegal mining activities are taking place on government land and tippers, poclains, JCBs and tractors are
actively engaged in illegal mining in Una and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh.
These vehicles were involved in illegally extracting minerals and consequently unlawfully transporting these minerals to stone crushers by overloaded vehicles. Another FIR dated 01.11.2024 has also been registered by Behat Police Station, Saharanpur against Gian Chand and others under sections of IPC, 1860, Prevention of damage to public property act, 1984 and Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 (as amended). In order to conduct the comprehensive investigation, another FIR of UP Police has also been taken into the ambit of investigation in this case.
During the course of investigation, 12 searches have been conducted on the premises of several mining mafias including Gian Chand & his associates in Himachal Pradesh and Saharanpur and statements
of several persons have been recorded.
The officials siad that on scrutiny of incriminating material seized, it is found that Gian Chand and his associates are involved in illegal mining operations ranging from Beas river to Yamuna river. POC generated from the illegal mining have been used in purchasing immovable properties and mining machineries like trucks, tippers, JCBs, crushers etc.
