HC relief to family in illegal mining case

The Orissa High Court today further extended the interim relief granted to the family members of mines owner Deepak Gupta, who was arrested in connection with an illegal mining and theft case.
A single judge bench of Justice B K Nayak restrained the vigilance sleuths from arresting the parents and wife of Gupta till September 16.
Gupta's father Haricharan, mother Kantadevi and wife Neetu, all directors of M/s Deepak Steel and Power Ltd are booked by the vigilance sleuths under several sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, Forest Conservation Act.
Meanwhile, the special court at Keonjhar today remanded Gupta in judicial custody till September 26 after rejecting the prosecution's prayer to take him on remand further. The vigilance sleuths had taken Gupta on remand from September 5 to September 11.

Gupta was arrested from an undisclosed place on September 4 in connection with his involvement in illegal mining and theft of iron ore to the tune of Rs 1,800 crore thereby causing a loss of around Rs 840 crore to the government exchequer.
Vigilance sources here said that during the week-long remand of Gupta, they have obtained substantial evidences to convict him in the case.