Akhilesh Yadav

The CBI is investigating the granting and renewal of sand-mining licences in Hamirpur under the SP government. The agency examined approvals made while Akhilesh held the mining portfolio and summoned him in 2024.

State of the evidence

CBI FIR and witness summons documented

Legal status — source text

Akhilesh summoned in February 2024 as a witness under section 160 CrPC, not as an accused person; no conviction

Attribution

alleged responsibility for certain approvals while temporarily holding the mining portfolio; witness status essential to retain

The development of Lucknow's Gomti Riverfront was one of the Akhilesh government's flagship projects. Following the change of government, investigations alleged irregularities in procurement, costs and tenders.

State of the evidence

CBI FIRs and raids targeting engineers, officials and contractors documented

Legal status — source text

FIRs targeted dozens and subsequently 189 officials and companies; no personal charges against Akhilesh identified

Attribution

institutional political responsibility as project promoter, without attributing alleged offences by engineers and contractors to him

Following a public interest petition, the Supreme Court ordered a preliminary investigation into allegations of disproportionate assets involving Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh and other family members.

State of the evidence

investigation and official closure documented

Legal status — source text

CBI confirmed in 2019 that the investigation had been closed in 2013 because the allegations against Mulayam and Akhilesh could not be substantiated

Attribution

Akhilesh was directly targeted, but the outcome was favourable

Ahead of the 2017 elections, Akhilesh entered into open conflict with his uncle Shivpal Yadav and father Mulayam Singh. He dismissed Shivpal from his government, while his own allies were expelled or sanctioned by Mulayam's faction.

State of the evidence

dismissals, expulsions and leadership change documented

Legal status — source text

no criminal judicial proceedings

Attribution

direct political responsibility

Akhilesh dismissed Gayatri Prajapati in September 2016 amid concerns about the mining sector, but reinstated him days later following intervention by Mulayam's faction. In February 2017, the Supreme Court ordered an FIR to be registered against Prajapati over rape allegations.

State of the evidence

dismissal, reinstatement, FIR and Governor's protest documented

Legal status — source text

Prajapati, not Akhilesh, faced criminal allegations; no involvement by Akhilesh in sexual assaults

Attribution

direct political responsibility solely for retaining or reinstating the minister

During the eviction of thousands of occupiers from Jawahar Bagh in Mathura, clashes left 29 people dead, including two police officers. The central government and opposition denounced a serious intelligence failure and excessive tolerance towards the group occupying the site.

State of the evidence

occupation, violence, deaths and judicial commission documented

Legal status — source text

judicial commission ordered; no personal conviction of Akhilesh

Attribution

political responsibility as Chief Minister, without attributing the killings to him

The 2013 Muzaffarnagar violence left dozens dead and displaced tens of thousands. The Akhilesh government was criticised for failing to prevent escalation, the quality of some relief camps and operations described as evictions of displaced people.

State of the evidence

deaths, displacement, camp conditions and controversy over festivities documented

Legal status — source text

prosecutions against perpetrators of the violence; no personal criminal involvement by Akhilesh

Attribution

political responsibility as Chief Minister; individual crimes not attributed to him