Hyderabad HC pulls up Andhra for illegal sand mining, names Deputy CM's son

The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday questioned Andhra Pradesh officials of the Revenue, Mines and Geology, Industries and Home departments, for not investigating the allegations made by villagers in Kurnool district  against Deputy Chief Minister KE Krishnamurthy's son KE Syam Babu, with regard to illegal sand mining.

According to reports, Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shameem Akther, had expressed their disappointment and anger while hearing the replies of the officials, in their counters filed.

In the complaint, the villagers alleged that Syam Babu had been digging the Handri riverbed using heavy machinery, after the introduction of the state's 'free sand' policy

"Why did you not verify whether the contents of the complaint are true or false. If they are found to be true, take action against that individual (Syam Babu). If there is no truth, better close the case. But in your counter, you did not even say if you started a probe," the Times of India quoted the bench as saying.

The bench also pulled up the state for not mentioning the minister's son, in an FIR that was filed based on the locals' claims.

Meanwhile, the court has asked the officials to file fresh affidavits in a week.

Earlier, the court has criticized the revenue officials of Kurnool district for not taking steps to prevent illegal sand mining.

In January this year, the National Green Tribunal had directed both the Telugu state governments to make sure that there was no mechanical sand mining on the riverbeds in the states.  

For past few years, illegal sand mining has been on rise in the state.