CBI Refuses to Probe Ore Theft Cases: Karnataka Minister

Bengaluru: Minister of law and parliamentary affairs H.K. Patil on Thursday alleged that the CBI refused to investigate six of the nine cases in connection with the huge quantities of ore theft and export from various ports within and outside the state.

He said that the government is considering handing over CBI refused cases to Special Investigation Team (SIT) Karnataka Lokayukta which is investigating illegal mining cases in the state.

Patil said, “Huge quantum of ore seized on the orders of the Court or by investigating agencies have been stolen from the ports of Murmagao and Panaji in Goa, Chennai and Ennore in Tamil Nadu, New Mangaluru Port Trust and Karwar in Karnataka and Kakinada, Krishnapatnam and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh”.

The Cabinet asked the Chief Secretary to submit details on the status of these CBI refused cases in the next meeting wherein a decision will be taken after discussion, he said.

In another decision, the Cabinet decided to bring as many as 10 ‘c’ category mines for investigation under the purview of SIT Karnataka Lokayukta which is probing illegal mining in the state.

Patil said Mysore Manganese Company, Dasharatha Reddy, Allum Veerabhadrappa, Anjana Minerals, Razaiya Khanum, M. Srinivasulu and Channakeshava Reddy, all in Chitradurga district G. Rajshekar, Karnataka Limpro and Milana Minerals of Tumakuru have been accused of indulging in illegal mining.