ED intensifies searches in Pathankot illegal sand mining case, seizes cash and freezes accounts

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Pathankot sand mining ED raid

Highlights

In the Pathankot illegal sand mining case, ED seized cash and froze accounts during searches of entities including M/s Shree Sai Stone Crusher and M/s Shiv Shankar Stone Crusher.
The investigation found that organized illegal sand mining and transportation took place without proper authorization, tax, or royalty payments, causing significant loss to state revenue.
Despite warnings from the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding illegal mining activities on land near the international border along the Ravi river, illegal mining continues; ED has requested a scientific investigation from Survey of India.

This article was translated from the original. Read the original version by our correspondent here.

Basis of Search Operation and Investigation

As stated by the Enforcement Directorate, the Jalandhar Zonal Office conducted this search under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The action pertains to the shamlat land of village Bhattian, Gol Panchayat, Pathankot district, which was allegedly illegally transferred to private individuals through a disputed order by then Additional Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Singh.

During the search, several incriminating documents related to illegal sand mining and riverbed material were recovered and seized. The agency said the investigation began based on an FIR registered at the Vigilance Bureau police station in Amritsar, which named Kuldeep Singh and eight other accused in the alleged illegal transfer of common village land.

ED also included M/s Shree Sai Stone Crusher and Screener, M/s Shiv Shankar Stone Crusher, their related entities, and key management personnel in the search. The investigation alleges that these parties illegally mined, purchased, sold, and transported sand and riverbed material without proper authorization and without paying due taxes and royalties.

Revenue Loss, Border Security, and Administrative Role

The investigating agency is now also looking into the role of certain state government officials suspected of facilitating this activity or failing to take preventive and corrective measures. According to the ED, this has caused significant loss to the state exchequer, while the alleged land is located near the international border along the Ravi river.

The case has also revealed that trucks, tippers, and excavators operated on a large scale at night in the area, some without number plates. The agency says this points to an organized illegal mining network.

A public interest litigation related to mining in the border areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court has stated in its order that mining in border areas across the Ravi is detrimental to national security and such activities could aid drug traffickers, terrorists, and other anti-national elements; nevertheless, these activities appear to continue despite the order.

ED has also sought the assistance of Survey of India for scientific investigation of the alleged illegal mining on the land. Further investigation in the case is ongoing.

We have previously reported on ED's multi-state search operation related to alleged illegal sand mining in Banka district of Bihar. In that operation, cash, documents, and digital evidence were seized during raids on M/s Mahadev Enclave Pvt Ltd and related premises, while geospatial analysis indicated large-scale illegal mining and revenue loss.

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