Suo motu case against top Karnataka officials after Lokayukta raids expose illegal sand mining in Bagalkot

Key points

• The Karnataka Lokayukta Police have registered a suo motu case against several senior government officials, including the Director of the Mines and Geology Department in Bengaluru, the Deputy Director of Mines and Geology in Bagalkot, the Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner, and tahsildars of Badami, Mudhol, Jamakhandi, Hunagund and Ilkal taluks, over alleged large-scale illegal sand mining in the Krishna river bed.
• According to officials, the action followed complaints regarding rampant illegal mining activities in Bagalkot district.
• A detailed report was submitted by the Superintendent of Police of the Karnataka Lokayukta, Bagalkot unit, after discreet inquiries into alleged irregularities in sand extraction operations across Hunagund, Ilkal, Mudhol and Badami taluks.
• The inquiry reportedly revealed indiscriminate and illegal excavation in the Krishna river bed using heavy machinery in violation of environmental norms and mining regulations.
• Following this report, Lokayukta Police were authorised to carry out surprise inspections and initiate action against officials suspected...