Uliburu mining scam accused arrested

The state vigilance today arrested Deepak Gupta, the main accused in the Rs 1,800 crore Uliburu mining scam, nearly a month after a vigilance court declared him a fugitive.

After his arrest in Keonjhar, he was brought to vigilance headquarters at Cuttack for further interrogation.

"We have arrested Deepak Gupta in Uliburu illegal mining case today and he was interrogated about his role in the case. The documents show that he and his family members were involved in the crime,” said Sashibhushan Mishra, superintendent of police (SP) for vigilance department.

Deepak Gupta, who was operating an iron ore mine of B K Mohanty by virtue of a power of attorney, has been accused of violating forest and mining laws. However, Gupta denied any charges against him.

"All the accusations are fabricated. I have all the supporting documents with me to prove my innocence and that's why I have come here (vigilance office). I will abide by the decision of vigilance court,” said Gupta after his arrest.On August 8, the Keonjhar vigilance court after declaring Deepak and four of his family members including Champak Gupta  as proclaimed offenders, had asked the accused to appear before the Special Judge (Vigilance), Keonjhar before September 12.

The scam pertained to illegal raising and exporting iron ore worth Rs 1,800 crore up to 2009 from the 35 hectare iron ore lease of B K Mohanty at Uliburu in Joda mineral circle. The mine is closed since 2009 following government crackdown on illegal mining operation in the area.

Forest and mines department allegations suggest the miner excavated huge amount of iron ore from forest area by shifting the boundary pillars into adjacent reserve forest.

The state vigilance team had raided 10 different places in connection with the scam and had detained Mohanty for further investigation. Mohanty, has also denied his involvement in the scam, saying he was not responsible for day-to-day activities of the mines which was being looked after by Gupta on the basis of a power attorney.