46-year-old Gopal Sikiligar, employed as a driver with the Department of Mines and Geology died after being crushed by a truck allegedly involved in illegal mining. The mishap occurred during an inspection process against illegal mining and transporting minerals.

Gopal Sikiligar left with his subordinate yesterday evening (9th December) for inspection of transportation of trucks carrying minerals.

The team laid a check post at Village Paluna, near Palodra and during the inspection they attempted to stop a truck. The truck driver however didn’t stopped and tried to flee.

Gopal and his team followed the truck and after few kilometer of chase, the truck stopped. Gopal tried to get inside the truck but the driver allegedly pushed him outside, during the tussle, Gopal fell down and eventually the truck driver overran him causing serious injuries.

S.P Sharma, Mining Engineer informed, “The truck driver fled away whereas the team members rushed Gopal to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.”

A complaint was lodged against the unidentified truck driver. During initial inspection; police found the details of truck owner who is identified as Arjunlal Prajapat. Police also informed that there were several cases of illegal mining registered against Prajapat in 2012.