Samajwadi Party says Akhilesh Yadav can waive summons in illegal mining case

Lucknow:

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is unlikely to appear before the CBI on Thursday for questioning in the illegal mining case registered five years ago, in which he is a witness, party sources said.

He told that the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to attend the meeting of PDA “Pichhra (Backward Classes), Dalits and Minorities)” at the party office and as of now he has no plans to go anywhere.

Responding to a question, Samajwadi Party Backward Class State President Rajpal Kashyap told PTI, “Akhilesh ji will attend the PDA meeting at the party office today.” Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said, “He Not going anywhere. He will attend a meeting in Lucknow.”

Regarding the CBI notice to Mr Yadav, he said, “I do not have detailed information in this regard. But it is certain that he is not going to Delhi today.” In a notice issued under Section 160 of the CrPC, the CBI has asked Yadav to appear before it on February 29, officials said. This section allows a police officer to call witnesses in the investigation.

A senior official with knowledge of the case told PTI, “He is not an accused. He is a witness.

The cases in which Yadav has been summoned relate to the issuance of mining leases in alleged violation of the e-tendering process. Allahabad High Court had ordered investigation.

It has been alleged that public servants allowed illegal mining during 2012–16, when Yadav was the chief minister, and illegally renewed licenses despite a ban on mining by the National Green Tribunal.

Responding to the notice in the cases registered in 2019, Yadav attacked BJP and said, ‘SP (BJP) is the biggest target. In 2019, I received notices in some cases because there were Lok Sabha elections then. Now, when elections are coming again, I am getting notices again.” “I know, when elections come, notices will also come. Why is there panic? If you (BJP) have worked a lot in the last 10 years, why are you nervous?” He posed.

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