Two more PILs seek CBI probe into illegal granite quarrying

CPI-M Madurai Rural unit secretary C Ramakrishnan, in his PIL, sought transfer of the ongoing police investigation into the granite scam to the CBI.

He submitted that three private companies had encroached water bodies, government poromboke lands, panchami lands and even burial grounds in Melur taluk and indulged in granite quarrying in collusion with officials and politicians.

"In order to unearth the mega scam committed by the three companies in collusion with officials and politicians, central agencies like CBI should probe into the irregularities of the companies since their establishment," he contended.

A Guruvijayan, state Executive member of Bahujan Samaj Party, in his petition claimed the state exchequer had lost Rs 30,000 crore due to illegal granite quarrying. Besides hundreds of farmers had lost their farm lands.

Justices P P S Janarthana Raja and M Duraiswamy posted the two PILs for hearing tomorrow. Two other PILs with similar prayers are already pending before the bench.

Police have filed cases against several granite companies, including one in which Union Minister M K Alagiri's son is a partner, following an official report which pegged loss to the state exchequer due to illegal quarrying at over Rs 16,000 crore.