Uliburu mining scam: Charges framed against 8

A special vigilance court in Keonjhar today framed charges against mines owner B K Mohanty, his power of attorney holder Deepak Gupta and six suspended government officials in connection with the Uliburu mining scam.
Snehapushpa Marketing Pvt Ltd, headed by Gupta, had raised over 47 lakh mt of iron ore beyond the mining lease area amounting to nearly Rs 840 crore till July 2013 in the iron ore mines located in Barbil of Keonjhar district, the vigilance department alleged.
Vigilance sleuths had registered a case against Gupta and 17 others under several sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, Forest (Conservation) Act and IPC.

On completion of inquiry, the vigilance department in December 2013 and June 2014 filed charge sheets against Gupta and 28 others for illegally raising iron ore worth over Rs 1520 crore.
After hearing both sides, the vigilance court decided to frame charges against Gupta and seven others including former deputy director of mines Manas Ranjan Mohanty.