The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to consider placing Rakesh Kumar Singh and Rajeev Rautela, former District Magistrates of Rampur, under suspension and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them.
The officials had granted sand storage license to one Gulam Hussain alias Nanhe on July 16, 2016, despite categorical finding recorded by the High Court in its earlier order that he was involved in illegal mining from river Kosi, according to an order issued yesterday.
The court also directed the state chief secretary to ensure that an inquiry, as directed in an order dated August 24, 2015, is now concluded within one month to identify other officials who were responsible for dereliction of duties, resulting in illegal mining.
Based on this inquiry, the state government should initiate disciplinary action against the erring officials, the court said.
The bench comprising Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice MK Gupta passed this order while hearing a petition filed by one Maqsood complaining of illegal mining in connivance with the state machinery.
The bench has fixed January 16 as the next date of hearing.
According to the petitioner, Gulam Hussain was involved in illegal mining in the garb of having a storage license, which permitted him only to store sand.
Hussain's storage license was cancelled on court directions. However, the storage license was once again granted to him on July 16, 2016, despite the categorical finding recorded by this court in a previous order.
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