'False' affidavit on sand mining: Cuttack admin convenes meeting after HC raps ex-Collector

Cuttack Collector Narahari Sethy convened a meeting on Tuesday to brainstorm over the reply to be given to the Orissa High Court after it expressed its displeasure on the illegal sand mining from Kathajodi riverbed and the alleged false affidavit submitted by the former district Collector.

The meeting is scheduled to be held at 4 pm today. The district administration has asked all the Tehsildars, mining officials and the Sub-Collector to remain present in the meeting.

Recently, the Orissa High Court termed an affidavit submitted by the then Cuttack Collector and current Higher Education Director, Bhabani Shankar Chayani on sand mining at Kathajodi riverbed as false.

The affidavit was submitted following HC order after hearing a PIL over illegal sand mining in the river. The petitioner alleged that the administration had turned a blind eye to the interests of the people of Cuttack.

Replying to the Court, the district administration had said that nothing of that sort was happening and fine was collected whatever illegal mining had happened.

Deeming the affidavit false, the HC was irked and said the irresponsible behaviour of the then Cuttack district Collector was not acceptable.

“Since such a false affidavit has been filed by such a responsible officer without visualising the ground reality, this Court takes a very serious view of the matter,” the Court had said.

The court was so annoyed that it even suggested criminal proceedings should be initiated against Chayani.