VIJAYAWADA: The high court on Monday expressed doubts on the affidavit filed by the state government in connection with the alleged illegal mining in Sattenapalli assembly constituency of Guntur district. The bench headed by Chief Justice Arup Kumar Goswami and Justice Ninala Jayasurya, observing that “something is wrong with the petition”, asked officials why they did not issue any notices to the persons against whom allegations were made in the petition.
P Srinivas Reddy and N Ramaiah had moved a PIL in the high court alleging that YSRC legislator Ambati Rambabu and his followers were engaged in illegal mining in Kotanemalipuri and Kubudapuram revenue villages under Rajupalem mandal. The high court had issued notices to the mining department, asking it to submit a report on the allegations.
Special government pleader Kasa Jagan Mohan Reddy said an inquiry was conducted by the mining department and demand notices were issued to the landowners as mining was done without obtaining permits.
The counsel for the petitioners, N Raghu, argued that the officials issued notices to persons other than those who were involved in mining.
The high court bench asked the government pleader as to why notices were not issued to persons facing allegations and why the affidavit filed by the government is silent on their involvement.
Stating that the enquiry did not find any involvement of others in the illegal mining, he sought time to rectify the affidavit and submit the same to the court. Allowing his request, the bench posted the matter for further hearing to October 7.
