The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for questioning in connection with an illegal sand mining case from 2019.
The law enforcement agency issued notice to former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, asking him to appear before it as a witness on Thursday.
The case was filed following an order from the Allahabad High Court, instructing an investigation into claims of irregularities in the issuance of mining leases in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district. These allegations involve violations of rules related to the online tendering process and occurred during Yadav’s tenure as chief minister.
Akhilesh Yadav held the state’s mining portfolio between 2012 and 2013, during which time he once approved 13 mining leases in a single day, the CBI has claimed. Existing mining licences were also renewed despite a ban by the National Green Tribunal on sand mining.
