Ahmedabad: A woman royalty inspector of the geology and mining department and her team were allegedly threatened by suspected sand mafia members, who forcibly freed a dumper carrying 60 metric tonnes of illegally mined sand during a checking drive in Mubarakpur village of Kalol taluka in Gandhinagar district.According to police, royalty inspector Mehula Sabhaya, security guard Dhiraj Arsodiya and driver Vipul Raval were conducting vehicle checks on the Piplaj-Lodra Road on Monday night when they intercepted a 12-wheel dumper without a registration plate.The driver, identified as Dashrath Devipujak of Ambod village in Mansa taluka, allegedly failed to produce a royalty pass, delivery challan or weighbridge receipt. Verification through the GeoMine portal reportedly confirmed that the sand was being transported illegally.Officials said the dumper was previously seized in a mining-related case and was linked to Jitu Chavda, Bittu Chavda and Avirajsinh Chavda.The team directed the driver to take the vehicle to the Piplaj checkpost, with the security guard accompanying him in the dumper. However, near Mubarakpur village, a black SUV without a registration plate intercepted the convoy.Two men armed with wooden sticks, along with another man who arrived in a car, allegedly threatened the guard, forced him out of the dumper and fled with the vehicle. Two hatchbacks also allegedly obstructed the officials’ vehicle, preventing a chase.The mining department estimated the value of the illegal mining, penalties and dues at Rs 4.83 lakh. Kalol Taluka police have registered a case against the dumper driver and unidentified members of the gang.
