Jammu, Feb 25, KDC: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday conducted Joint Surprise Checks (JSCs) across several districts of the Jammu division following complaints of widespread illegal mining activities allegedly carried out in connivance with officials of the Mining and Ecological Departments.
According to a statement, the ACB received inputs alleging that certain mining block holders (lessees), in collusion with departmental officers and officials, were engaged in large-scale illegal extraction of minerals in violation of approved norms and lease conditions.
To verify the allegations and curb such practices, the Bureau constituted multiple teams to conduct coordinated surprise inspections at different locations across the division.
During the course of the JSCs, extensive searches were carried out at stone crusher units in Bajalta (Jammu), Gandyal (Kathua), Kaller and Doongi (Rajouri), besides inspections at the District Mineral Office Rajouri and mining blocks located at Saranu (Rajouri), Anji (Reasi) and Arnas (Reasi).
Preliminary findings indicated that several stone crushers and mining block holders were allegedly operating in blatant violation of prescribed terms and conditions, leading to significant ecological degradation in the respective areas. ACB teams seized mobile phones, computers, documents and other records from the inspected sites, which are currently under scrutiny to ascertain the extent of irregularities and possible official complicity.
Meanwhile, in connection with FIR No. 02/2026 registered at Police Station ACB Central against Inspector Vijay Choudhary in a disproportionate assets case, the Bureau also conducted searches at multiple locations.
The searches were carried out at his residential house in Santokh Vihar, Kaluchak (Jammu); ancestral house at Nonial, Nowshera (Rajouri); a flat at GTB Nagar, Channi Rama (Jammu) opposite Birla Open School; a farmhouse at Marjali, Gharota; a stone crusher unit at Tutte-di-Khui, Bajalta; and tile factory premises.
Additionally, residential premises of Naresh Sharma alias Raju at Channi Himmat and his official premises at Bahu Plaza, Jammu, were also searched as part of the ongoing investigation.
Officials said further investigation in both the illegal mining checks and the disproportionate assets case is underway.
