Four held in Bhadravati for illegal sand mining, Rs 12.36 lakh of goods seized

Police in Bhadravati in Chandrapur district have acted against illegal sand mining and transport, seizing goods worth about Rs 12.36 lakh. The action took place in the area of O.F. Chanda village, which falls under Bhadravati police station limits. Four accused are involved and two separate cases have been registered.

Police had received confidential information. Acting on it, the area was inspected and action was taken over the illegal mining and transport of sand. The seized items include sand, a tractor, a trolley and related equipment. Their total estimated value has been put at Rs 12.36 lakh.

Four people have been arrested. They are Sandeep Vishwanath Marskole (40), a resident of Juna Sumthana, Bhadravati taluka; Rushikesh Bandu Gore (28), a resident of Khapri Ward No. 6, Bhadravati taluka; Santosh Rajuji Ghanode (40), a resident of Khapri Ward No. 6, Bhadravati taluka; and Vijay Pandurang Ade (31), a resident of Khapri, Bhadravati taluka.

Police have registered two separate cases under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 48 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966. Police constable Anup Astunkar and police constable Yogesh Ghotole of Bhadravati police station are named as the complainants.

The action was carried out under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopani, the Additional Superintendent of Police and the Warora sub-division police officer Santosh Bakal, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Sachin Khetre. The team included police constables Anup Astunkar, Devanand Dukare, Gopal Atkulwar and Prashant Shendre, constables Yogesh Ghatole, Santosh Rathod and Khushal Kawale, and woman constable Monali Garghate, along with officers and staff of Bhadravati police station.

The police action has brought the issue of illegal transport of minor minerals in the area back into discussion. Bhadravati police are conducting further investigation into the registered cases.