Jalandhar, May 4: Congress leader Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia, who was declared as the party candidate for the assembly bypoll for Shahkot constituency scheduled for May 28, has been booked by the Mehatpur police on charges of illegal sand mining.
On the complaint of Mohan Singh of Malrhi Nakodar, a case has been registered under Section 21 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code at Mehatpur Police Station against the 50-year-old leader.
Besides Laddi, the police have also booked contractor of Kaimvala quarry Surjit Singh and Ashwinder Singh in the FIR, which was registered by newly appointed station house officer (SHO) Parminder Singh on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday at 4.26am. SHO Parminder was appointed by the election commission.
Mohan Singh, who is general secretary of the Bhatha Majdoor Union, in his complaint stated that despite the model code of conduct, illegal mining was rampant on panchayat land in villages, including Kaimvala, Rahpur Gujra, Gausuwal, Chelian, Baloki, Budhewal, Khurlapur, Chak Bahmnia and Pipli.
“Illegal mining has been going on with the support of Congress Halka in-charge Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia,” he alleged in his complaint.
SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SP (investigation) Balkar Singh, DSP Shahkot Dilbagh Singh were not available for comments.
Source Hindustan Times
