HC orders CBI inquiry into illegal mining across UP

Taking a grim view of illegal mining in Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court today directed the CBI to investigate the matter across the state, including the role of government officials in facilitating the same, and submit a report within six weeks.
The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V K Shukla and Justice M C Tripathi on a Public Interest Litigation filed by Vijay Kumar Dwivedi and several others who had contended that mining leases of several lessees had been "unlawfully extended" by authorities concerned upon expiry on May 31, 2012.
The court, while fixing September 8 as the next date of hearing in the matter, also expressed dissatisfaction with the explanation given in an affidavit filed by the state's Principal Secretary (Mining) and said his submission that a committee has been set up to look into illegal mining activities in the state was "an eyewash".

The court held that the affidavit did not adequately address the petitioners' contention that illegal mining was being carried out in collusion with government officials and the claim, made in affidavits filed in course of hearing on the PIL by district magistrates, that no such activity was taking place in their respective areas of jurisdiction was "false".
The court also remarked that the affidavit filed by the Principal Secretary was "irresponsible" and "on wrong foundations".