VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Oct 6: The illegal stone mining syndicate allegedly headed by Pankaj Mishra in Sahibganj had no fear of the law which is evident from the fact that they continued illegal mining and transportation even when it had become an open secret that a considerable amount of mining is under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The ED has revealed this in its prosecution complaint filed against Pankaj Mishra, his associate Bacchu Yadav and powerbroker Prem Prakash. The investigation has disclosed that from June 1st to June 26th a total of 1844 stone chips-laden trucks were shipped to Bihar, Bengal, and other places through ferry service in the river Ganga controlled by Pankaj Mishra, Rajesh Yadav alias Dahu Yadav, Bacchu Yadav, and others. Out of the 1844 trucks 412 trucks were found to be carrying stone chips without mining challans. These 412 trucks were found to be carrying illegally mined stone chips on a daily basis.
This fact has been corroborated by Sahibganj district mining officer Bibhuti Kumar who in his 60 pages report has confirmed that aforesaid trucks carried illegally mined stone chips. Some of the trucks belong to some close associates of Dahu Yadav and Pankaj Mishra.
This “corroborates the findings of the investigation that extensive and widespread mining activities and its transportation are going on illegally and unlawfully in Sahibganj and its adjoining areas. It is also to be mentioned that such huge numbers of trucks have been identified to be carrying illegal mining proceeds when a considerable amount of mining is under check after the recent investigation into the alleged mining activities conducted by ED,” the prosecution complaint reads.
This was the time when it almost became public that the ED is investigating illegal mining cases in Sahibganj and in the near future the ED will take some resolute actions. This is yet another second set of evidence of illegal mining that the ED has informed the special PMLA court. The ED has already told the court that since 2020, as many as 3531 rakes were loaded with stone chips from several railway loading points in Sahibganj and adjoining areas without any mining challans. These illegal mining proceeds were transported illegally to different destinations without paying royalties to the state government causing a loss of Rs 155 Crore to the state government.
Evidence seized from residence of Dahu Yadav
The ED got the evidence of illegally dispatched trucks from the premises of Dahu Yadav whose premises were raided on 8th July. Well-placed sources said that handwritten details of trucks carrying illegal stone chips and boulders along with the capacity it carried, rates per ton, truck registration number, and daily trips were seized. Sources in the agency said that the ED during the questioning confronted Dahu Yadav with that register. Insiders in the agency said that their analysis is based upon some documents they seized during the raid and that may not be a complete set of evidence.
“Dahu Yadav conceded that stone chips laden trucks even without mining challan were shipped to Bihar, Bengal, and other locations. He said that the number of illegally shipped stone chips laden trucks had reduced to 400 to 500 per day which was 2000 trucks per day. Illegal mining and transportation had not stopped completely despite actions of the ED,” sources said.
Sahibganj district mining officer Bibhuti Kumar confirms illegal mining allegations against Pankaj Mishra and Co.
Bibhuti Kumar who has been accused of having hands in gloves with Pankaj Mishra has now stated that Pankaj Mishra was involved in illegal mining. In a statement given to the ED, he stated that those identified 412 trucks were never issued any mining challan. He is said to have further stated that Pankaj Mishra used his influence to conduct illegal mining.
