Nangal stone crushers face ‘goonda tax’ demand, police register FIR

Police have registered an FIR against Inder Pal Singh following a complaint by stone crusher owners in the Nangal subdivision alleging extortion of 'goonda tax'. The FIR was lodged on Thursday evening under Sections 308 (2), 308 (3) and 351 (2) of the BNS.

The stone crusher owners collectively complained on August 19 that an individual, claiming to represent the Delhi lobby of the AAP party, was demanding Rs 4 per cubic foot as 'goonda tax'. A similar complaint was submitted to SDM Nangal, Sachin Pathak, on August 20.

Sources indicate that Inder Pal Singh was summoned by the police for clarification but did not appear, leading to the FIR.

SDM Pathak, in his capacity as sub-division level mining committee chairman, has also issued formal summons to the accused, reportedly at a Delhi address linked to his registered car, to provide his clarification. He stated that further legal action will be taken if the accused fails to comply.

Adding to the allegations, stone crusher owners have shared CCTV footage on social media showing individuals in plain clothes, claiming association with a senior police officer, searching their premises on the night of August 19.

The incident has reportedly caused a division among AAP leaders in the district, with one senior leader, speaking anonymously, vowing to prevent any 'goonda tax' collection, suggesting potential misuse of the party's name.