In response to a summons from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding an illegal mining case, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has agreed to participate in the interrogation through video conferencing. However, he cited upcoming elections as the reason for being unable to attend a physical hearing in Delhi. A member of Akhilesh Yadav's legal team stated, "He said that since elections are round the corner, he will not be able to make time for physical hearing but can appear through video conferencing. He has said that he was willing to cooperate in the investigation in the case."
Akhilesh also raised questions about the five-year gap between the current summons and the last time he was called by the CBI. The CBI had summoned him as a witness in connection with an illegal sand mining case in Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh.
Akhilesh Yadav On Mining Case
The investigation focuses on the roles of Akhilesh Yadav and former minister Gayatri Prajapati in the issuance of mining leases, allegedly violating the e-tendering process. Both held the mining ministry charge between 2012 and 2016, the period during which the alleged irregularities occurred. The CBI had conducted searches on January 5, 2019, at various locations associated with the case, including the residences of SP MLC Ramesh Kumar Mishra, BSP leader Sanjay Dixit, and the then Hamirpur District Magistrate, B Chandrakala, among others. The FIR, filed on January 2, 2019, by the CBI, mentioned looking into the roles of the mining ministers during the relevant period.