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CJM Court extends custody of Ashish Sharma’s kin in Illegal Mining Case; SC earlier denied bail
Hamirpur/ Shimla, Apr 16,
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Hamirpur after the expiry of their earlier police remand, granted two more days of police custody to the uncle and brother of Hamirpur MLA Ashish Sharma in an alleged illegal mining case, tightening the legal noose around the accused.
Earlier Supreme Court has denied bail as the accused had surrendered.
Accused Umesh Kumar and Praveen Kumar were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Hamirpur after the expiry of their earlier police remand. The court , allowing investigators to intensify interrogation. Following the order, both were shifted to Sujanpur police station, where the case has been registered.
The duo had surrendered before the CJM court a day earlier in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court of India. Their regular bail applications had also been dismissed at both the High Court and the apex court.
Also read:Himachal Pradesh High Court grants regular bail to Ashish Sharma/
The case pertains to alleged illegal mining and irregularities in documentation linked to a stone crusher unit. According to police, a raid conducted last year at Mahavir Stone Crusher under the supervision of then ASP Rajesh Kumar led to the seizure of CCTV footage, hard disks and other digital records, now forming key evidence.
A total of four persons have been named as accused in FIR No. 53/25 dated August 12, 2025. While two co-accused have secured relief from the Supreme Court, the MLA’s relatives continue to face custodial interrogation.
Notably, Ashish Sharma, who was elected as an Independent in 2022, later extended support to the BJP candidate in the Assembly.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
