Janthakal mining case: will SIT summon N Dharam Singh ?

Bengaluru: The Special Investigation Team probing the illegal mining cases in the state had submitted an interim report to the Supreme Court and apprised the apex court about the status of the ongoing probe.

It is learnt that the SIT officials have furnished details such as arrest of IAS officer Ganga Ram Baderiya in connection with the Janthakal mining case, questioning of former chief minister H. D. Kumaraswamy and others in the same connection and gathering details related to Rs 150 crore kickback allegation made by former minister G. Janardhan Reddy against Mr Kumaraswamy.

The SIT officials have also reportedly informed the court in the report about the evidences they have gathered in illegal mining cases and have sought some more time for completion of the probe.

The Supreme Court, on March 29, had ordered the SIT to probe the role of two former chief ministers Kumaraswamy and N. Dharam Singh in awarding contract to mining companies by flouting rules and had directed SIT to submit a report within three months.

Though the SIT have questioned Mr Kumaraswamy, Mr Singh is yet to interrogate in connection with the case. Sources in the SIT said that Mr Singh would also be issued notice to appear before the investigating officer to give his statement.

Meanwhile, sources said that the Reddy had submitted them a video CD in connection with Rs 150 crore kickback allegation against Mr Kumaraswamy, but both the video and audio are not clear and they were trying to gather other substantial evidence in connection with the case.