No clean chit for Punjab CM Channi in illegal mining case yet, probe still on: Official

Citing a status report, Punjab CM Channi said on Sunday that the illegal sand mining allegations levelled against him by AAP had been proven to be untrue. However, in a conversation with India Today, DC Sonali Giri said the probe is still underway.

Ahead of the Punjab Assembly election, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said on Sunday that the illegal mining allegations levelled by the Aam Aadmi Party against him had been proven to be untrue. This came after a status report in the case stated that no complaint of illegal sand mining or connected records had been found.

However, speaking to India Today, Rupnagar Deputy Commissioner Sonali Giri said that the probe is still on and misinformation is being spread on the issue.

She said, "There is misinformation being spread. Nowhere have we said in the status report that the probe is complete. The probe is still on and the FIR is still being investigated."

Now, a status report filed by the Deputy Commissioner has been sent to the sand mining enforcement authorities. The report says that no complaint of illegal sand mining or connected records have been found.

Citing this report, CM Channi was quoted by ANI news agency on Sunday as saying, "Arvind Kejriwal is a liar. He tried levelling several allegations against me, but none were true. They complained to the Governor against me, he ordered an inquiry. Truth prevails."

"The British came to loot India; likewise, Kejriwal and his Delhi family such as Raghav Chadha and other outsiders have come to loot Punjab. But Punjab will show them their place, like it did to Mughals and the British," CM Channi added.

Meanwhile, CM Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate for his alleged involvement in illegal sand mining. The ED had conducted raids against him in January.