Centre approves `11,092cr to support states’ Covid-19 fight

Fresh trouble seems to be brewing for former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav as the CBI is preparing to register two fresh cases in connection with its probe pertaining to the alleged illegal sand mining scam in Uttar Pradesh during his tenure.

According to sources, there are allegations that at least three former senior bureaucrats, in conspiracy with other accused, allowed illegal mining of minor minerals in UP’s Hamirpur district during 2012-17. Mr Yadav had allegedly cleared 14 leases pertaining to mining in the state, of which 13 were cleared on February 17, 2013, in violation of the e-tendering process, sources alleged. Mr Yadav, who was the chief minister of the state between 2012 and 2017, held the mining portfolio during 2012-13 apparently bringing his role under scanner. “The CBI is probing the suspected role of these three former bureaucrats in clearing 13 leases. They will soon be called for questioning,” sources said, adding that the agency may register two fresh cases in this regard.

The CBI had recently registered a case against the then district magistrate (DM) of Hamirpur, then geologist and mining officer, then mining clerk and eight others under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Others included lease holders, private persons, other unknown public servants and unknown persons. Sources further alleged that on February 17, 2013 the leases were granted by the district magistrate of Hamirpur after getting approval from then chief minister's office in violation of its 2012 e-tender policy, which was ratified by the Allahabad High Court on January 29, 2013.

— AFP MUMBAI People (left) make their way along a lane in the Dharavi slums during a governmentimposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the Covid-19 on Friday. Worries over Mumbai’s Dharavi emerging as a cluster with a high number of Covid positive cases surged when a 35year-old doctor, who has a clinic in the area, tested positive. This is the third such case which is linked to Dharavi, Asia’s biggest slum. This comes after a 52year old civic worker who worked in Dharavi was tested positive and a 56-year-old who had tested positive for coronavirus died on Wednesday.

— PTI NEW DELHI Jama Masjid in New Delhi wears a deserted look during Friday prayers in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

— AP SRINAGAR Police and government officers applaud a Kashmiri medical student who has finished her quarantine period in Srinagar on Friday after returning from Bangladesh.

— PTI JODHPUR Women stand in a queue to collect potable water from a tanker in a village near Jodhpur on Friday.

— PTI PATNA Volunteers serve food to the needy during a nationwide lockdown in Patna on Friday.

— AP PRAYAGRAJ A policewoman watches a drone used to check gathering of groups during the lockdown to prevent the spread of new coronavirus in Prayagraj on Friday.