Royalty Inspector Files Police Complaint Over Alleged Illegal Mining in Rajkot
A 26-year-old royalty inspector from the mines and minerals department has lodged a formal complaint with the Gondal Taluka police station in Rajkot, targeting nine individuals for alleged illegal mining activities. The accused include former Rajkot district panchayat executive committee chairman Sahdevsinh Jadeja, along with Siddhrajsinh Jadeja, Majbutsinh Jadeja, Ranjitsinh Jadeja, Digvijaysinh Jadeja, and others.
Details of the Alleged Illegal Excavation
The complainant, Kishan Ranva, has stated that the accused illegally excavated minerals valued at approximately Rs 1.59 crore from grazing land and government wasteland located in Bhunava village within Gondal taluka. Preliminary investigations have uncovered that over 38,514 metric tonnes of gravel and 31,798 metric tonnes of ordinary soil were extracted and utilized without obtaining the necessary official permissions.
Ongoing Illegal Activity for Nearly Five Years
Initial findings from the investigation indicate that this unauthorized excavation had been taking place for a period of nearly five years, highlighting a prolonged and systematic violation of mining regulations. The scale of the operation suggests significant environmental and economic impacts on the region.
Legal Actions and Charges Filed
Police authorities have confirmed that a case has been officially registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant mining laws. The charges include:
- IPC Section 379: Theft
- IPC Section 34: Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention
- IPC Section 414: Assisting in the concealment of stolen property
Additionally, provisions under the Mines and Minerals Act have been invoked to address the specific violations related to unauthorized mineral extraction. This legal action underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the commitment to enforcing mining regulations.
The case is currently under further investigation as authorities work to gather more evidence and determine the full extent of the illegal activities.
