Jaipur, July 16 (IANS) The Rajasthan Mines Department has initiated action against a sand mining lease linked to absconding paper leak accused Suresh Dhaka after an inspection allegedly uncovered multiple violations, including illegal excavation, missing boundary markers and the unauthorised extraction of thousands of tonnes of sand.

The department has issued a show-cause notice to the leaseholder and warned that the Rs 20-crore mining lease could be cancelled if a satisfactory explanation is not submitted.

The action follows a surprise inspection by a joint team of the department’s vigilance wing and local mining officials at a mining site in Mesiya village under Raipur tehsil in Beawar district.

The inspection was conducted after complaints of alleged violations at the lease site.

According to officials, the inspection revealed several irregularities. Water had accumulated in five mining pits, raising concerns over safety compliance. Officials also found that the mandatory boundary pillars marking the lease area were missing, increasing the possibility of mining beyond the authorised limits.

The team further alleged that excavation had been carried out well beyond the permitted depth of 1.5 metres, violating environmental norms designed to protect river ecosystems.

A technical assessment by the department estimated that 89,014 tonnes of sand had been extracted in violation of mining rules.

Following these findings, the Mines Department issued a show-cause notice to the company operating the lease through the Assistant Mining Engineer’s office in Jaitaran.

Officials said proceedings to cancel the lease would begin if the company fails to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated time.

The mining lease has been under scrutiny because it was awarded to Dhaka Construction, a firm owned by Mangilal Dhaka, father of absconding paper leak accused Suresh Dhaka.

The lease was allotted through an e-tender floated in 2024 after the firm emerged as the highest bidder with a bid of around Rs 20 crore.

Mining approval for the five-year lease was granted in December 2025, and commercial operations reportedly began about two months ago.

Suresh Dhaka is a key accused in several Rajasthan recruitment examination paper leak cases, including those related to senior teacher and sub-inspector recruitment examinations. He has been absconding for several years.

The Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), which is investigating the paper leak cases, is also examining the mining lease.

Investigators suspect the investment in the mining project may be linked to proceeds allegedly generated through the paper leak network and routed via an illegal hawala network. The investigation into these financial transactions is ongoing.

Residents of Mesiya village and several neighbouring villages have opposed the mining project since its inception, alleging that it could damage local water resources and the surrounding environment. Despite these objections, the lease was granted.

With the Mines Department now documenting multiple alleged violations, pressure has mounted on the leaseholder. Officials said strict action would be taken if the company fails to satisfactorily explain the irregularities, including cancellation of the mining lease in accordance with the law.

–IANS

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