Cong demands judicial probe into ₹5,000-cr Aravallis mining scam

The Congress has accused the BJP governments in Haryana and Rajasthan of facilitating rampant illegal mining in the Aravallis and demanded a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting high court judge. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that the scam could exceed Rs 5,000 crore, criticising the Haryana Government led by Nayab Singh Saini for attempting to cover up the issue.

Centre shielding guilty ministers

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An entire hill was blasted and the visuals went viral. Yet, in a cover-up, the government claimed the hill did not belong to Haryana. The BJP governments in Haryana and Rajasthan are selling the Aravallis and the BJP at the Centre is shielding the guilty ministers. — Randeep Singh Surjewala, Rajya Sabha MP

"An entire hill was blasted and the visuals went viral. Reports by local police and the mining department, as well as FIRs in both states, contained all details. Yet, in a cover-up, the government claimed the hill did not belong to Haryana. Official documents cite losses of over Rs 2,200 crore in one year, but we suspect the scam exceeds Rs 5,000 crore. BJP in both states is selling the Aravallis and the BJP at the Centre is shielding the guilty ministers," Surjewala said.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda backed Surjewala's demand, highlighting that the BJP's alleged mining racket spans from the Yamuna to the Aravallis, costing the state over Rs 20,000 crore.

"Recently, it was revealed that under the protection of the government, the mining mafia flattened a mountain near Nuh worth Rs 2,200 crore. This is the same area where illegal mining has caused accidents and taken lives. A DSP was killed by the mafia here, yet no significant action has been taken. This entire illegal mining operation is protected by the government," Hooda alleged.

Hooda also pointed to mining scams in Yamuna and Dadum, where sky-high hills have been levelled, causing environmental devastation. He cited the deaths of workers buried under rocks after a mountain cracked in Dadum, describing it as a direct result of unchecked mining.

"From the National Green Tribunal to the courts, and even BJP leaders, everyone acknowledges the scams. The environmental impact is massive and the government’s silence is alarming. Why is the BJP running away from a high-level impartial investigation? Has the Chief Minister nothing to say or act upon?" Hooda questioned.

The Congress has urged the government to address the revenue losses and environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, accusing the BJP of collusion with mining mafias and prioritising their interests over public welfare.