Bellary: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is awaiting a green signal from the Union government to begin investigating the export of iron ore illegally mined in Karnataka from nine southern ports following the state cabinet's October 18 decision to use its services to get to the bottom of the scam.
Under the scanner is the export of illegally mined iorn ore from the Belekeri, Karwar and New Mangalore ports in Karnataka, Chennai and Ennore ports in Tamil Nadu, Kakinada , Vishakapatnam and Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Murmagoa and Panaji in Goa in the years 2006 to 2010.
But the CBI can register FIRs in a criminal case only if the Union government issues a notification under section 5 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946 following the issue of a notification of consent by the state government under section 6 of the Act.
Going by sources, the CBI, Bengaluru branch has received the required notification from the state government dated November 21, laying down certain terms of reference for the investigation, and has forwarded it to its head office in New Delhi for submission to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T) under the PM's office for further action.
Once the Centre issues a notification entrusting the investigation to the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the agency will take a call on whether to hand it over to its Anti-Corruption Branch or Economic Offences Wing.
