More evidences poured in to buttress allegations of rampant corruption and illegal mining in the State. The investigation pointed that how rules were mended to facilitate illegal mining as well as how a well organised Rssyndicate’ having alleged henchmen of mining minister Gyatri Prajapati, running the operations. Sources revealed that social activists, Nutan Thakur, submitted records regarding how rules were mended by director mining to award a mining contract in Sonebhadra.
She claimed that one Santosh Singh, was allocated lease for mining at Billi Markundi area (1.10 acres) for 10 years, but after this government came to power, he showed that mining work could not be carried out by him between 2007-12, and requested to extend that lease for five years period further. Sources said that district magistrate of Sonebhadra, turned down the request.
However, much to the surprise of the DM, the same file was summoned at mining directorate here and the lease period has been extended for five years on the same ground. Nutan, reportedly disclosed above case is just a tip of ice-berg and many more such extension of lease has been made by the mining directorate, over-looking all the laid norms.
Besides, the ICICI bank (Sadar Branch), also gave details of last two years transactions of Pintu Yadav, an alleged close aide of Gyatri Prajapati. Sources said that the transaction pointed towards foul play by Yadav, as when the said probe was started by Justice (retd), NK Mehrorta, it had more than Rs 68 lakh balance but suddenly on January 12, when the probing agency tightened it’s nose on the illegal operations, all the money was withdrawn by the accused.
Sources said that the transaction revealed that heavy amounts has been made frequently from the accounts but details of who was depositing the money, and where and by whom it was withdrawn, is yet to be verified by the probing agency. The account also showed one more residence of Pintu in Vrindawan Colony.
Sources also said that Mehrorta also received bank details of Oriental Bank of Commerce (Haiwatmau in Mawaiya branch), belonging to Gudda, another alleged associate of Gyatri Prajpati. The account besides showing heavy transaction also reportedly revealed money related to investment in MGA colonisers, in which one of the Prajapati’s son is said to be one of the directors. loakyukt, in reportedly trying to confirm whether Gudda was working at behest of Prajapati or not.
Mehrotra, is now also waiting for bank details of Oriental Bank of Commerce (Amethi Branch) of Amrendra Singh, yet another aide of Prajapati. On Friday, he is also likely to grill the than mining officer of Sonebhadra, AK Singh, and chief survey officer, DK Sharma. They were summoned after present chief survey officer of Sonebhadra, Ram Nath Yadav, in his statement before Mehrorta, had admitted that mining and illegal transportation of material has been rampant during the tenure of above officers and that he control it after he joined at Sonebhadra on Novermber 1 last year.