Gravel mining in Rajasthan: HC asks CBI chief to appear on March 17

Jaipur: Expressing grave concern over CBI's stated inability to probe illegal gravel mining cases due to resource constraints, Rajasthan High Court has directed the agency's director to appear before it either in person or via video conference on March 17. Justice Sameer Jain issued the directive while hearing the bail application of an accused in a related case.
CBI informed the HC that it received a case of gravel theft from Bundi's Sadar police station for investigation in April 2024. The agency was also tasked with investigating FIRs against the gravel mafia near the Banas and Chambal rivers. CBI said a supplementary chargesheet was filed in one case and informed the HC that about 416 gravel mining cases registered at various police stations are yet to be investigated due to shortage of resources and insufficient support from state govt.
The HC expressed disappointment and observed that such limitations were unexpected from India's premier investigating agency. It sought clarifications from the CBI director through an appearance on March 17.