Punjab CM patronising illegal mining: SAD

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 22

Accusing Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi of sheltering illegal sand miners, the SAD today released audio recordings between some alleged sand miners to substantiate the claim.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, at a press conference, claimed Darshan Singh, a farmer and an activist against illegal sand mining, recorded his conversations with Iqbal Singh, a former sarpanch of Salahpur village, where large-scale illegal mining had taken place. Darshan also recorded separate conversations with ex-sarpanch’s son Ravinder Singh on the subject.

Majithia claimed the conversations suggested how the CM was allegedly patronising miners, adding only an impartial probe could reveal the extent to which Channi and his family had “looted” the state exchequer.

He claimed the recordings proved a close nexus between the CM and his nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey, from whom the ED recovered Rs 10 crore in cash and gold recently, and that they were partners in the illegal sand mining business.

Majithia, while showing Honey’s proximity to Channi through photographs, claimed the CM’s nephew was using a vehicle bearing an MLA sticker.

‘Aide’ faces 3 cases

Ropar: CM Channi’s ‘aide’ Iqbal Singh had been booked thrice for illegal mining. He was first booked by Singh Bhagwantpur police in 2012 but was acquitted in 2016. The second case was registered in 2013 at the Chamkaur Sahib police station, but was acquitted in 2017. The third FIR was lodged in 2020, but cops couldn’t finish probe. TNS

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