NGO to file case against former minister D K Shivakumar in illegal mining case

Dharwad-based non-government organisation, Samaj Parivartan Samudaya (SPS), which is the main petitioner in the public interest litigation (writ petition No. 562 of 2009) on illegal mining in Karnataka at the Supreme Court, has alleged that D K Shivakumar, former Karnataka minister, was involved in illegal mining activity.

The NGO is filing an interlocutory application in the Supreme Court on serious illegalities, irregularities and criminalities indulged in during the period 2000-2005 by Shivakumar and eight iron ore trading companies. Shivakumar is a prominent Congress leader and member of the legislative assembly from Kanakapura constituency.

Addressing a press conference, here, S R Hiremath, founder president of SPS, alleged that Shivakumar was involved in the purchase of 900,000 tonnes of high grade (65 per cent iron content) iron ore from Mysore Minerals Ltd in the guise of low grade iron ore and mud at a throw-away price of Rs 15-25 per tonne as against the market value and sold it for windfall profit.

“The role of D K Shivakumar and others is crucial in the most serious irregularities, criminalities during 2000-2005. We are going to file an interlocutory application (IA) in the Supreme Court during the first week of July with documentary evidence against Shivakumar,” Hiremath said.

He also alleged that Shivakumar had written a letter in November 2009 to the then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa for the withdrawal of forest offence cases against his family members (brother D K Suresh and wife Usha) and against companies he was associated with.

The SPS would provide some fresh evidences against Yeddyurappa in the land denotification cases to the SC, once the court resumes after the summer vacation in July, he said.