Bharuch: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Bharuch, has registered a case against three officials of the Mines and Minerals Department, including a Class 1 officer, and others for alleged irregularities in sand mining permits at Angareshwar village, causing an estimated loss of ₹1.17 crore to the state exchequer.

According to the complaint, the irregularities pertain to mining permits issued for land bearing Survey No. 11 and Survey No. 32 in Angareshwar village. The permit holder was initially granted permission to extract 50,000 metric tonnes of ordinary sand over 120 days on Survey No. 11.

A joint inspection conducted on February 20, 2023, by teams led by the Deputy Collector, along with Mamlatdars of Bharuch Rural and City, found discrepancies between the permitted mining location and the actual site of excavation. Despite evidence of alleged unauthorized mining, due verification of extraction, transportation, and storage was not carried out.

The complaint further alleges that Nareshbhai Mawjibhai Jani, then in-charge Geologist (Class 1), along with local officials including the Talati-cum-Mantri and village Sarpanch, ignored prescribed government norms and circulars. Vehicles seized during the inspection were reportedly released without proper procedure, resulting in a financial loss of ₹49.85 lakh to the government in connection with Survey No. 11.

In a separate instance involving Survey No. 32, where permission was granted for mining 10,000 metric tonnes, officials allegedly manipulated measurement records and imposed a penalty significantly lower than mandated. While a fine of ₹67.17 lakh was reportedly applicable as per rules, a lesser amount was imposed, allegedly to benefit the permit holder.

The accused in this case include Nareshbhai Jani, Ashwinbhai Laljibhai Kotdia (Surveyor, Class 3), and Bhaveshbhai Ramjibhai Parmar (Mines Supervisor). They are accused of colluding to falsify site measurements, violate departmental rules, and facilitate illegal mining activities.

The ACB has registered offences under Sections 12, 13(1)(a), and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, along with Section 217 of the Indian Penal Code. Further investigation is underway. DeshGujarat