ED files case against mining officer for cheating and loss to State

Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Shimla Sub-zonal Office has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) on 12.03.2024 before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh against Lakhwinder Singh & his associates; and Neeraj Kant, Mining Officer, Una as they were involved in the process/activity connected with proceeds of crime obtained through illegal activity involving cheating and causing fraudulent and wrongful loss to the State Government Exchequer thereby, fraudulently acquiring wrongful gain to themselves through illegal mining in District Una of Himachal Pradesh. The Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA) has taken cognizance of the PC on 05.04.2024.

ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by Himachal Pradesh Police, PS Una Sadar, Una (HP) under various sections of IPC, 1860 in the matter of unauthorized mining conducted in District Una of Himachal Pradesh.

ED investigation revealed that Lakhwinder Singh was running 3 crusher units in the name and style of M/s Lakhwinder Singh in Una District, M/s Lakhwinder Singh deliberately & dishonestly concealed the actual production in the statutory returns required to be filed under the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015.

ED conducted a comprehensive examination of all the areas in which mining was conducted by Lakhwinder Singh in Una, (HP) to determine the extent of illegal mining. The expert report by the team highlighted instances of excessive and illegal sand mining, much more than the documented volume in the records of the state government. The State Government was cheated and misappropriated to the extent of Rs. 79.87 Crore approx. by illegal mining and unreported sale of material without payment of statutory dues. ED has passed a provisional attachment order for attaching the movable and immovable assets of Lakhwinder Singh.

Earlier, ED conducted searches at 13 locations across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh resulting in recovery of incriminating material. Lakhwinder Singh was arrested under PMLA, 2002 on 26.09.2022.

Information received through a press note. Further details awaited.