Illegal mining case: IPS Joshua rejects charges

Vijayawada: While the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) booked a case against former YSRCP leader Vidadala Rajini, IPS officer P Joshua, and two others, Joshua's statement to the DoPT and AP govt on Oct 21, 2024, came to light on Tuesday, revealing some startling facts. In it, he denied allegations responding to the notices issued to him related to a mining case in Guntur district during his tenure as regional vigilance and enforcement officer (RVEO) from June 24, 2019, to Aug 24, 2021.
According to Joshua, the controversy began when the then Chilakaluripet MLA Vidadala Rajini (of YSRCP) lodged a complaint against the stone-crushing firm, accusing it of illegal mining and tax evasion. However, his preliminary inquiries revealed that the firm's managing partners were supporters of the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and they had an ongoing political rivalry with the MLA.
He further stated that tensions between the two parties had escalated when one of the firm's partners, Katta Srinivas, planned to install a statue of former Andhra Pradesh assembly speaker Kodela Siva Prasad in a prominent location. This move was opposed by Rajini and her followers. Joshua alleged, this political discord was a crucial factor behind the complaint.
Despite the political context, Joshua explained that he proceeded with an impartial inquiry. Since the vigilance and enforcement wing lacked technical manpower, he sought assistance from the assistant director of mines and geology and the district land surveyor to conduct a joint field inspection. Their report estimated a mining royalty evasion of 10.5 crore.
However, upon review, Joshua found the figures "excessive and illogical," stating that such high estimates were unprecedented in road metal mining cases. Additionally, Joshua revealed that his confidential inquiries indicated that political pressure influenced the survey and led to inflated figures.