In a significant development in the ongoing probe into the Aravalis illegal mining scam, the Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (HVACB), Gurgaon unit, arrested Bijender Rana, the former District Revenue Officer (DRO) of Nuh, who also held additional charge of the consolidation department.
Authorities stated that Rana’s arrest followed the discovery of substantial evidence implicating him in facilitating the unauthorized expansion of village roads during his tenure as a settlement officer. The expansion allegedly benefited individuals involved in illegal mining operations.
The case pertains to the expansion of two roads from 4 karam to 6 karam in Basai Mew village, Firozpur Jhirka, which was approved despite objections from villagers. Instead, Rana favored another objection, filed by Hanif alias Hanna, the then sarpanch of Basai Mew, along with others, who sought the road expansion connecting the village to Nangal and Chapra in Rajasthan.
According to the HVACB, this approval was granted in alleged collusion with illegal and legal mining operators, crusher owners, and royalty contractors from Rajasthan. The decision reportedly enabled the transport of mined materials and granted significant profits to the involved parties.
Rana’s arrest adds to a growing list of those detained in the case. Previously, Sher Mohammad, Mohammad Latif, and three former consolidation officials were arrested. The HVACB has also issued cash rewards of ₹50,000 each for information leading to the capture of absconding accused Shabir, Shaukat, and Hanif.
The investigation into the Aravalis mining scam is ongoing and expected to uncover more links in the corruption network.
