BALLARI | Feb 20, 2015:
Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao has said the ongoing probe by the Lokayukta Special Investigation Team (SIT) into illegal mining and export of iron ore is continuing on expected lines and it may take some time before charge sheets are filed.
Mr. Bhaskar Rao, who was here to hear petitions and grievances of the public, was responding to questions by presspersons on Thursday.
“The government has referred 43 cases to the Lokayukta for detailed investigation of illegal mining/exports by various firms in Ballari, Chitradurga and Tumakuru districts. As many as 195 officials have been specially deputed for investigations. The probe has been going on for the past six months, based on the Lokayukta report on illegal mining submitted to the government. We want to find out to what extent illegalities by mining firms had taken place, and the role of officials concerned, and more. The officials are collecting evidence and relevant material as part of the investigation. The task is gigantic, and it needs at least a couple of years for the investigation to be completed and the charge-sheets filed,” he said. Not ruling out the possibility of arresting mine owners and officials, he said the process would begin only after the charge-sheets are filed. He said a couple of days ago, the SIT, based on a tip-off, arrested a contractor, who is facing the charge of illegal transport/export and was about to flee the country from Mumbai.
On the reports that the accused were getting anticipatory bail apprehending arrests, Mr. Bhaskar Rao said one case had come to light with a person getting anticipatory bail from a Mumbai court and producing it here.
(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)