False affidavit on Kathajodi sand mining: Criminal proceeding should be initiated against former Cuttack Collector, says Orissa HC

Former Cuttack Collector and current Higher Education Director, Bhabani Shankar Chayani found himself in a soup after the Orissa High Court termed his affidavit on sand mining at Kathajodi riverbed as false on Saturday.

Hearing a plea, the HC observed criminal proceedings should be initiated against Chayani.

As per reports, a PIL was filed in the Orissa High court alleging illegal sand mining and transportation from Kathajodi riverbed. The petitioner alleged that the administration had turned a blind eye to the interests of the people of Cuttack.

Following the PIL, the High Court had sought an affidavit from the district administration. Replying to the Court, the administration had said that nothing of that sort was happening and fine was collected whatever illegal mining had happened.

However, the HC was irked by the administration's false affidavit 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 visualizing the ground reality, this Court takes a very serious view of the matter,” the Court said.

“It is observed that the quarrying operation is being done in a mechanized way day in and day out violating the clause-C, sub clause-IV of the guidelines issued by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management on April 26, 2019, which deals with quarrying/mining operation," the High Court stated.

Neither Chayani nor the current district Collector was available for comments in this connection.

It is pertinent to mention here that the then Cuttack Collector, Chayani was transferred and posted as the Director, Higher Education on October 26, 2023. Narahari Sethy, replaced him as Cuttack Collector.