The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Four mining firms move High Court

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 26, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Four mining firms move High Court

Staff Reporter

The four firms want quashing of criminal cases against them
Firms deny any illegal transport or storing of ore

BANGALORE: Mining, which has become a contentious issue in the State and even led to the resignation of the Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde, on Friday took another turn when four mining firms filed criminal petitions in the Karnataka High Court challenging the cases registered against them by the Forest Department.

Over the last few days, the issue of mining has assumed centre stage in the State with allegations of the State going soft on illegal mining, illegal transport and even export of ore.

Investigations on

There are allegations that several companies had fraudulently transported ore and even exported them. Even as the State is investigating these allegations, some of the companies have petitioned the High Court.

The Deputy Commissioner of Forests (DCF), Karwar, R. Gokul, had filed cases against them under Section 41(A) of MMDR Act against four mining firms in Ankola police station for illegally storing and transporting ore.

In his complaint, the DCF had held ten companies responsible for the theft of more than 5 lakh tonnes of ore, which was in the custody of the Port Officer of Belekere port.

Four of the ten companies have filed criminal petitions in the High Court challenging the registration of criminal cases against them. The companies say they are in no way responsible for the theft or illegal transport or storing of iron ore. They say the cases were deliberately booked against them.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka