Following the Supreme Court (SC) directions, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is all set to probe into the illegal export of iron ore from the state’s Belekeri port.
This, according to many, will tighten the noose around many politicians, government officials and exporters.
“The investigation will start in the next few days after completing due formalities,” a senior official from CBI headquarters in New Delhi told Express on conditions of anonymity.
Based on the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommendations, the SC had directed the agency to take up the probe.
The CBI should carry out a thorough and intensive investigation.
“If it is required, custodial interrogation of any accused can also be carried out,” the court ordered.
Many politicians, including BJP MLA Nagendra is likely to come under the CBI scanner.
The Eagle Traders and Logistics, Bellary, (ET&L), a company owned by the MLA was the third highest iron ore purchaser from the unregistered dealers, according to the CEC report.
Even the state Lokayukta report on illegal mining had stated that the Eagle Traders was transporting iron ore to Belekeri port without having valid Mineral Dispatch Permits (MDPs) issued by the Mines and Geology Department.
From January 1, 2009 to May 5, 2010, a total of 88.
06 lakh tonnes of iron ore was exported by 73 exporters from Belekeri port.
During this period, MDPs had been issued for transportation of about 38.
22 lakh tonnes of ore.
“The difference between the quantity of the iron ore exported and that brought with valid MPDs is about 50.
79 lakh tonnes,” the CEC report stated.
The CEC’s supplementary submitted to the SC on September 5 holds four exporters and many other transport companies responsible for the illegal export.
The four exporters are- ILC Industries Limited (9.
86 lakh tonnes); Dream Logistics Company (India) Private Limited (9.
16 lakh tonnes); SB Logistics (7.
74 lakh tonnes) and Shree Mallikarjuna Shipping Private Limited (7.
23 lakh tonnes).
The role of Adani Enterprises, Salgaocar Mining Industries Private Limited and Rajmahal Silks, who provide facilities such as storage of mineral and loading of cargo into ships will also be probed.
The ore that was seized by Karnataka Forest Department and kept at the port was illegally exported.
SR Hiremath of Samaja Parivartana Samudaya (SPS), an NGO that took the issue to the SC said many influential politicians, important people and private companies are involved in illegal extraction, transportation and export of ore.
“Now with the CBI taking over the probe, they all will be brought to the book,” Hiremath told Express
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