New Delhi/Jalandhar, September 17, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet before the City Civil & Session Court, Bangalore (Karnataka) against then Managing Director & his Bellary / Bangalore based private Mining Company; then Chief Executive Officer of said Company; the then Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industry, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore; the then Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industry, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore; the then Dy. Director, Department of Mines & Geology, Hospet, Karnataka and then Circle Inspector of Police, Sandur Police Station, Karnataka U/s 120-B, 379, 429, 427, 447 of IPC, and 13(2) r/w 13(1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 & substantive offences thereof for causing allegedly loss of about Rs.1232.395 crores to the National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (NMDC), Hyderabad / Bellary, Govt. of India and Government of Karnataka.
The case was registered by CBI on October 1, 2011 on the directions of Supreme Court of India. It was alleged that the said Private Mining Company had carried out alleged illegal mining of iron-ore in a mining licence No.2525 which falls within the lease area allotted to National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (NMDC) in mining licence No.1111. The said Private Company of Bellary/Bangalore was allotted to carry out the mining after altering / making modifications in the sketch belonging to the lease area of M/s. NMDC.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet. The Court after taking cognizance of the chargesheet, posted the matter for the appearance of accused persons. The then Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industry, Karnataka Government had appeared before the court and prayed for bail. The prayer was earlier rejected by the court and the person was remanded to judicial custody. The said accused while working as Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industry, Government of Karnataka, had allegedly recommended for the renewal of Mining leases with modified sketch.
During the investigation, four accused were arrested and remanded in Judicial Custody. One accused was already in Judicial Custody in another case. The then Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industry, Karnataka Govt. was granted bail on Monday.
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.