Illegal Mining in Sujanpur under scanner; CM makes statement in assembly
Old photo of assembly. Used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, Sept 2,
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that illegal mining activities in the Sujanpur area of Hamirpur district had been unearthed during a recent police raid, allegedly operating under the shield of influential people.
According to the CM, police received a tip-off on August 12 and raided a stone crusher unit that was officially shut down last year but had continued operations unlawfully. Despite adverse weather, a team led by the Additional SP seized a Poklane machine, two JCBs, four tippers, a mixer machine, around 50 tipper loads of boulders, a DVR from the premises, and a tractor belonging to one Manveer Singh.
The Chief Minister said an FIR (No. 53/2025) has been registered under Section 303(2) of the Indian Justice Code, 2023, along with relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Preliminary findings revealed that the lease for the crusher had been cancelled in March 2024, yet mining activity continued in violation of law. The police have roped in the Mining Department, obtained the bank details of the accused, and forwarded DVR footage to RFSL Junga for forensic examination.
The CM named crusher owner Praveen Sharma, his nephew Umesh Sharma, and their associates Satish Sharma and Sanjay Kumar as accused in the case, adding that anticipatory bail petitions had already been filed by them. He further stated that Praveen Sharma faces another case (FIR No. 178/2024) in Hamirpur for allegedly securing a contractor’s certificate fraudulently in collusion with officials.
“This is a blot on democracy. If elected representatives or their kin try to shield illegal mining, it is dangerous for the dignity of the state. No one, however influential, will be spared,” the Chief Minister assured, promising an impartial probe and strict action.
Also read: NGT directs probe into Illegal mining complaint in Chamba amid monsoon threats
BJP legislator Ashish Sharma, reacting to the statement, countered the allegations, asserting that the crushers had remained closed for more than a year and that his family had written to the DGP demanding a trespass case against police for entering their premises. He challenged the Chief Minister to prove that legislators had taken money to switch sides.
The Speaker, however, restricted Sharma from going beyond the references made against him during the Chief Minister’s statement.
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