Goa mining scam: Police arrests 'sub-contractor'

Police today arrested a resident of Dona Paula near here in connection with an illegal mining scam in which iron ore worth crores was allegedly exported outside the state without valid documents.
The arrest of Prashant Sahoo, who hails from Nagpur in Maharashtra, by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Goa police here came a day after police picked up one Subroto Barok from Gandhinagar.
Police suspect that Sahoo acted as a sub-contractor for extracting and transporting the ore from a mine in South Goa without proper documentation. Police were on his lookout after investigations revealed his alleged role in the scam.

"Sahoo is accused of transporting the ore without the knowledge of mine owner from the abandoned mine, and also impersonated as a Central government officer," a senior police officer said.
He had impersonated as Union Revenue Secretary and conducted a fake raid on a mining lease, he added.
The Commissionerate of Income Tax had filed complaint against Sahoo with Panaji police station, which was subsequently transferred to SIT, as the offence was related to illegal mining.
DSP Nilu Raut Desai told reporters that Sahoo had power of attorney of a private company.