DVAC launches probe into the alleged sand mining scam during the DMK government

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:06:00 +0000

The quantum of illegal sand excavated was assessed across all 28 river-sand mining sites in Tamil Nadu with the help of advanced techniques. The Directorate of Enforcement said in a report that the survey revealed mining beyond permissible limits. The value of the illegally mined sand was put at ₹4,730 crore. File
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The ED said in a report that the survey revealed mining beyond permissible limits. The value of the illegally mined sand was quantified at ₹4,730 crore, which the investigators alleged was the proceeds of crime

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has launched an investigation into the alleged ₹4,730-crore sand mining scam which had taken place during the previous DMK government.

A detailed inquiry was ordered on the basis of a complaint filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) which alleged serious irregularities in the mining of river sand across Tamil Nadu, official sources said on Monday (October 5, 2026).

Notice sent

The DVAC has sent notice to the contractors, officials, and others involved in the scam as part of the detailed inquiry which is usually conducted for establishing prima facie offence before a case is registered, the sources said.

The central agency had written to the Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police on June 13, 2024, giving evidence of the illegal sand mining and requesting registration of a First Information Report. A reminder was sent to the DGP on July 18 that year, but no action was taken.

The ED had registered a case of illegal sand mining under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Investigators collected evidence by deploying advanced scientific techniques with the assistance of experts associated with a company incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

The quantum of illegal sand excavated was assessed across all 28 river-sand mining sites with the help of advanced techniques.

The ED said in a report that the survey revealed mining beyond permissible limits. The value of the illegally mined sand was quantified at ₹4,730 crore, which the investigators alleged was the proceeds of crime.

ED relies on GPS data

ED officials also relied on the GPS data provided by the company which had sold the excavators used by the contractors. The technical data — precise GPS co-ordinates, Geo Scanning, and Geo Fencing — provided by the company revealed the details of operational hours and excavation timings of the machines at precise locations.

“The ED compared the data with the GPS coordinates of the permitted quarries and the number of machines permissible under the State government rules. The findings conclusively established that the subject excavators were deployed and operated beyond the demarcated boundaries,” the agency said.

Published – October 06, 2026 05:36 am IST

Source link

Akhilesh Yadav May Skip Summons In Illegal Mining Case, Says Samajwadi Party

admin — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:27:28 +0000

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav is a witness in the case.

Lucknow:

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is unlikely to appear before the CBI on Thursday for questioning in an illegal mining case registered five years ago in which he is a witness, party sources said.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister is scheduled to attend a meeting of PDA “Picchda (backward classes), Dalit and Alpsankhyak (minorities)” at the party office and has no plans to go anywhere till now, they said.

In reply to a question, the Samajwadi Party’s backward wing state president Rajpal Kashyap told PTI, “Akhileshji will attend a meeting of PDA at the party office today.” “He is not going anywhere. He will be attending a meeting in Lucknow,” Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chowdhury said.

About the CBI notice to Mr Yadav, he said, “I don’t have detailed information regarding this. But it is sure, he is not going to Delhi today.” In a notice issued under section 160 of CrPC, the CBI has asked Yadav to appear before it on February 29, officials said. The section allows a police officer to summon witnesses in a probe.

“He is not the accused. He is a witness,” a senior official in the know of the development had told PTI.

The cases in which Yadav is summoned pertain to the issuance of mining leases in alleged violation of the e-tendering process. The Allahabad High Court had ordered the probe.

It is alleged that public servants allowed illegal mining during 2012-16, the period when Yadav was chief minister, and illegally renewed licences despite a ban on mining by the National Green Tribunal.

Reacting to the notice in the cases registered in 2019, Yadav attacked the BJP, saying, “The SP is on the maximum target (of the BJP). In 2019, I got a notice in some matters as there were Lok Sabha elections then. Now, when the election is approaching again, I am getting a notice again.” “I know, when the election comes, notice will also come. Why this nervousness? If you (BJP) have done a lot of work in the past 10 years, why are you nervous?” he posed.