New Delhi / Jalandhar, May 29, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a charge sheet against a former Minister of Karnataka; former Dy. Conservator of Forests, Bellary; then Deputy Director of Mines & Geology Department, Hospet; the then PA of former Minister of Karnataka; the then Conservator of Forests, Bellary and two private persons u/s.120-B r/w 409, 420, 434, 447, 468, 471 of IPC and Sec.13(2) r/w 13(1)(c) & (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act-1988.
According to the allegations as per the charge sheet, are that the said accused persons were parties to a criminal conspiracy entered among themselves at Bellary and other places during 2009-2010 to commit various offences. In pursuant to such conspiracy, the accused persons excavated iron ore illegally from various mines / forest areas in Bellary district and surrounding areas & sold the same to various traders and transported the said illegally excavated iron ore to Belekeri port for export purpose. A loss of about Rs.198 crores was caused to the State exchequer.
In pursuance of the directions given by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in WP(Civil) No.562/2009 dated September 7, 2012, CBI had registered the case against a private firm; the then Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bellary; the then Deputy Director of Mines & Geology Department Hospet and others.
All the accused persons against whom the charge sheet filed are in judicial custody.
Further investigation into the role of other accused persons is continuing.
In an email press release received here today by the spokesperson of the CBI, the public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it. Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.