Shivpuri, June 26 (IANS) A man allegedly involved in illegal soil excavation threatened to shoot a Tehsildar during an anti-mining drive in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district after a revenue team attempted to seize vehicles engaged in illegal excavation.

The incident, which took place on Thursday, came to light after a video of the confrontation went viral on social media on Friday.

Police have registered a case against three persons and launched an investigation. The incident occurred in Sadbud village under Badarwas tehsil when a revenue team led by Tehsildar Sachin Bhargava reached the banks of the Sindh River following information about illegal excavation of soil from government land.

During the inspection, officials found that a pathway was being constructed to the riverbank to facilitate sand mining. Soil was allegedly being excavated using a Hydra crane and transported through two tractor-trolleys.

When the revenue team tried to seize the vehicles, the accused allegedly resisted.

According to officials, one of the accused, identified as Jaymandal Yadav, threatened the Tehsildar and other members of the team.

In the viral video, he is purportedly heard warning the officer to stop, saying he would shoot him and go to jail. He also allegedly asked his son, Vikul Yadav, to bring a gun from the house.

Amid the confrontation, the accused fled from the spot with the Hydra crane and one tractor-trolley. However, the revenue team seized another tractor-trolley loaded with illegally excavated soil and handed it over to the Badarwas police.

Talking to reporters, Tehsildar Sachin Bhargava said the inspection revealed pits nearly 15 feet deep on government land due to illegal excavation.

He said the accused claimed the land belonged to them, but the team found that excavation had also been carried out on adjoining government land, prompting action by the revenue department.

“An FIR has been registered against the accused. Their criminal records are being verified, and further legal action will be taken on the basis of the investigation,” Badarwas police station in-charge Naveen Yadav told reporters.

Based on the Tehsildar’s complaint, Badarwas police registered an FIR against Jaymandal Yadav, his father, Lakhan Yadav, and his son, Vikul Yadav, under relevant sections of law.

–IANS

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