Allegations of Illegal Mining on  Congress Leader Spark Controversy in Rajasthan

GG News Bureau
Jaipur, 22nd May. Congress leader Prahlad Gunjal finds himself embroiled in a legal tussle as police lodged a case against him for alleged theft, criminal trespass, and encroachment of public land in connection with illegal mining activities.

Authorities discovered 955 tonnes of stone, along with an excavator and a dumper, at a stone crusher unit operated by Gunjal near Bawadikheda and Kolana villages. This action was taken by a joint team of police and forest department officials.

This incident follows a similar crackdown on illegal constructions associated with Congress leader Amin Pathan in Kota’s Anantpura area.

Gunjal, however, vehemently denies any wrongdoing, claiming that all necessary paperwork for the stone crusher unit was in order and accusing the BJP of orchestrating a political vendetta against him.

Police received information regarding illegal mining activities on government land in the Ranpur police station area, prompting the joint operation. An excavator, a dumper, and the confiscated stone were seized, and a case was lodged against Gunjal and his nephew under various sections of the IPC and relevant mining laws.

In a press conference, Gunjal presented documents purportedly proving the legality of his stone crusher unit and accused the government of targeting individuals critical of the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections on June 4.

Gunjal’s defection from the BJP to the Congress adds a political dimension to the controversy, as he now finds himself pitted against his former party colleague and incumbent Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the upcoming polls.

Gunjal maintains that the land on which his crusher operates was legally converted for that purpose in 2010, with all necessary approvals obtained. He also alleges selective targeting by authorities, citing the presence of other illegal mining and crusher units in the region.