Outgoing WFI Chief Brij Bhusan faces Illegal Mining Probe ordered by NGT

New Delhi: The BJP MP of Gonda and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is in another legal trouble as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a probe into allegations of “damage to River Saryu” due to illegal sand mining and transportation of minerals by his company in Gonda.

On Wednesday, the Principal bench of the National Green Tribunal formed a Joint Committee comprising the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), and the District Magistrate of Gonda to inquire into the matter.

Brij Bhushan Singh is facing legal and political turmoil over sexual harassment allegations by women wrestlers and the elections to the Wrestling Federation of India.

The NGT took cognizance of a letter received by it which alleged illegal sand mining by Brij Bhusan’s company.

The Joint Committee is expected to undertake a site visit, interact with the person who sent the petition, as well as the “project proponent,” i.e., Brij Bhushan Singh’s company.

The NGT wants the committee to submit its report within two months.

The BJP MP had 38 criminal cases against him, including a charge of attempted murder, rioting, connections with the land mafia, and other serious charges. As per the affidavit filed by him before the 2019 polls, he has been acquitted in these cases.