The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has raised serious allegations against the Tamil Nadu government, asserting that it is attempting to protect officials involved in the illegal sand mining scam. The ED submitted its affidavit before the Madras High Court on Monday, responding to petitions filed by the state government seeking to quash summons to five district collectors in a sand mining money laundering case.
The ED contends that the challenge to the summons impedes the ongoing investigation into “money laundering and the proceeds of the crime” related to illegal sand mining in Tamil Nadu. The agency alleges that the state’s actions are an attempt to obstruct the probe into offenses generating proceeds of crime, amounting to a staggering Rs 4,730 crore.
The ED claims that a technical study of mining sites and illegal activities, along with the total sale of unlawfully extracted sand in the past two years, justifies this substantial amount. This figure significantly contrasts with the recorded revenue of the department at Rs 36.45 crore, indicating less than 1% of the alleged scam amount.
The agency points to the Tamil Nadu government’s actions as evidence of an “extremely guilty mind.” It highlights that the actual impacted area due to sand mining, against the permitted mining area, is 987.01 hectares compared to 195.37 hectares. The ED also cites statements from senior engineers and officers from the water resources department, indicating rampant illegal sand mining in Tamil Nadu.
The ED asserts possession of credible scientific evidence, including drone and LiDAR surveys, bathymetric surveys, and satellite imagery processing, demonstrating widespread illegal mining in the districts.
The Madras High Court is expected to deliver orders on Tuesday regarding the petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government and five district collectors challenging the ED’s summons in connection with the probe into alleged illegal sand mining in the state.
