ED arresting 2 for illegal mining in Himachal triggers talk of links to top politicians
02The two persons arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an illegal mining racket in the Beas and the Yamuna rivers are suspected to be having their links to top politicians in Himachal Pradesh.
The ED, in a press statement on Tuesday (November 19, 2024), confirmed the arrest of Gian Chand and Sanjay Dhiman. An anti-mining activist alleged that the arrests, made on Monday, brought to light not only the scale of the illicit activities but also the deep-rooted political connections that have enabled illegal mining to thrive for years, particularly in Himachal Pradesh.
The arrests have sparked speculation about potential involvement of high-profile figures, as the scale of the operation and the financial transactions suggest powerful backers. Political observers believe the ED’s probe could uncover a nexus between the mining mafia and influential people in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Further probe to trace money trail
Further investigations are underway to trace the money trail and identify other beneficiaries of the illegal operations. The ED is also scrutinizing links between the mining mafia and administrative officials, as questions arise over how such extensive illegal activities went unnoticed for years.
The accused were produced before the Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Ghaziabad. The case, rooted in allegations of illegal sand and mineral mining, involves proceeds of crime amounting to hundreds of crores.
“Investigations were initiated based on six FIRs registered across Kangra and Una districts of Himachal Pradesh where illegal mining activities on government land have been rampant,” said an ED spokesperson. The FIRs detail the use of tippers, JCBs and tractors to extract and transport minerals to stone crushers, often through overloaded vehicles in violation of laws.
Searches across 12 places in Himachal, Uttar Pradesh
The investigation took a broader turn with the inclusion of a separate FIR registered on November 1, 2024, in Saharanpur’s Behat police station. The FIR accused Gian Chand and others of violating the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act.
The ED has conducted 12 searches across Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, targeting properties and individuals linked to the mining mafia. During the raids, incriminating documents revealed the accused were using proceeds from illegal mining to purchase immovable properties and mining machinery such as trucks, tippers and stone crushers.
“Preliminary findings indicate that Gian Chand and his associates were operating a network of illegal mining stretching from the Beas to the Yamuna. The proceeds of crime were systematically funneled into assets, raising suspicions of larger political protection,” added the spokesperson.
