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Lucknow: Sources from the Samajwadi Party indicate that party chief Akhilesh Yadav is unlikely to make an appearance before the CBI on Thursday for questioning in an illegal mining case dating back five years. Yadav, a witness in the case, is set to attend a meeting of the PDA (Picchda, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak) at the party office in Lucknow.
According to party spokesperson Rajendra Chowdhury, Yadav’s schedule for the day revolves around the PDA meeting and no other plans have been made to travel elsewhere. This statement was echoed by Rajpal Kashyap, the party’s backward wing state president, who affirmed that Yadav will be in Lucknow for the scheduled gathering.
Responding to queries about the CBI notice issued to Yadav under Section 160 of CrPC, Chowdhury stated, “I don’t have detailed information regarding this. But it is sure, he is not going to Delhi today.” Notably, Section 160 allows police officers to summon witnesses during a probe.
“He is not the accused. He is a witness,” clarified a senior official familiar with the matter
The cases in which Yadav has been summoned pertain to the alleged issuance of mining leases in violation of the e-tendering process, as per orders from the Allahabad High Court. These cases involve allegations of public servants permitting illegal mining during the period of 2012-16, when Yadav was the Chief Minister, and the illegal renewal of licenses despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.
In response to the notice, Yadav criticized the BJP, stating, “The SP is on the maximum target (of the BJP). In 2019, I got a notice in some matters as there were Lok Sabha elections then. Now, when the election is approaching again, I am getting a notice again.” He further questioned the timing of the notice, suggesting a pattern of receiving such notices close to elections.
