NGO seeks CBI probe into Mysore Minerals

Government earlier ordered CBI probe into illegal iron ore exports

Dharwad-based Samaj Parivartan Samudaya (SPS), which is fighting the illegal mining case in Karnataka through a public interest litigation, on Thursday urged the state government to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the illegalities and irregularities in state-owned Mysore Minerals Limited (MML).

The state government has already entrusted the probe into the case pertaining to MML to the Lokayukta police. It has also extended the probe by CBI into illegal iron ore export from nine ports including Goa and Belekeri.

Addressing a press conference, here on Thursday, S R Hiremath, founder of SPS, said several bureaucrats and public representatives were involved in looting the high quality iron ore totaling over one million tonnes. He held former minister D K Shivakumar of Congress and six bureaucrats (both retired and serving) such as V Umesh, I R Perumal, K S Manjunath, D S Ashwath, Jija Hari Singh, Mahendra Jain as responsible for the illegalities in MML.

Hiremath, however, welcomed the decision of the government to extend probe by CBI in to illegal iron ore export from two more ports Goa and Belikeri in Karnataka.

The government earlier ordered CBI probe in to illegal iron ore export from Chennai, Krishnapatnam, Ennore, Kakinada, Visakapatnam, Karwar and Mangalore recently.

Earlier the government had announced that the investigation would be handed over either to a special investigation team or the Criminal Investigation Department of the state police. The government defended its stand by noting that Lokayukta police has better knowledge of the subject and it has designated courts for speedy trial of cases.

Addressing reporters, S R Hiremath, president, SPS, said, investigation into illegalities and irregularities of MML would "indict" politicians from all political parties and it would become difficult for the Lokayukta to probe.

There was a separate chapter in Lokayukta report by Santosh Hegde and the Comptroller and Auditor General Reports that have also indicted senior officials, politicians and corporate giants involved in illegalities and irregularities of MML. "CBI probe can only provide justice," he added.