Revenue official suspended for supporting illegal sand mining

A revenue official was suspended today after a video purportedly showing him supporting illegal sand mining in neighbouring Bahoor, went viral.

The District Collector of Puducherry Satyendra Singh Dursawat suspended Deputy Tashildar Ramachandran after conducting an enquiry, on the directions of Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.

Bedi, in a whatsapp message to mediapersons, said she had received complaints of large-scale illegal sand mining and involvement of public officials in it.

She had directed Revenue Secretary Diwesh, the Collector and the Chief Grievances officers of her office to go to the particular site and conduct a probe. Their visit substantiated the involvement of the Deputy Tashildar, Bedi said.

The collector then issued an order, suspending the Deputy Tashildar, she said, adding a departmental enquiry would follow.

Bedi said she had also asked the Collector to consider whether a prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC could be clamped to prevent illegal sand mining activity.

She said the Deputy Tashildar had allowed lorries to move out of the site when PWD officers were making a bid to prevent the vehicles carrying the sand.

The former IPS officer said the Deputy Tashildar was 'colluding with politicians and sand mafia by accepting bribes.