ED raids 8 locations in illegal sand mining case, unearths Rs 1.53 crore cash
According to ED’s press release, the searches were carried out at the official premises of GCKC Projects and Works Pvt. Ltd., Prathima Infrastructure Ltd. and Turnkey Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.’s residences of Boinipally Srinivas Rao, Ashok Kumar and VG Venkata Reddy in Hyderabad and Jaipur, as well as a farmhouse belonging to Boinipally Srinivas Rao, were also covered.
The ED conducted its investigation by CIU, Anti-Corruption Bureau, NTR Zone, Vijayawada, with VG Venkata Reddy, later Director, Mining and Geology, and M/s Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd., Prathima Infrastructure Ltd. and initiated it based on an FIR registered against GCKC Projects and Works Pvt. Ltd. The FIR alleged various violations in sand mining activities, including illegal mining and violation of tender provisions and agreements.
The agency said the investigation was conducted by the Supreme Court-constituted District Level Sand Committees JPVL, GCKC Projects and Works Pvt. He said that he discovered two types of illegal excavations by . Ltd. and Prathima Infrastructure Ltd. – excavation beyond the permitted depth and mining from areas not permitted in the permits.
Following this, the Office of the Director of Mining and Geology issued various show-cause notices and then demand notices to companies. ED said analysis of these notices showed that DMG had filed demand notices amounting to Rs 2,407.70 crore against the three entities.
Indian currency worth Rs 1.53 billion, foreign currency worth US$ 1,800, silver bullion worth Rs 1.29 billion, several digital devices and incriminating documents were seized during the searches. In the ED statement, it was stated that the documents contain details of movable and immovable properties held in the names of the defendants and their family members.
Further investigation is ongoing, the agency added.
