Ballari: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the CBI, Chennai branch, has arrested seven people, including independent MLA B. Nagendra from Kudligi Assembly constituency and two women, in connection with the export of illicit iron ore from Belekeri port in Karwar.
EOW sleuths, headed by SP P.C. Thenmozhi, have summoned Mr Nagendra and K. Nagaraj, partners in Eagle Traders and Logistics, Ajay Karabanda of Greentex Mining, Rani Samyukta of SB Minerals, who happens to be a cousin of Vijayanagar (Hosapete) BJP MLA B.S. Anand Singh, and her associates Yarribabu and Farhan Sheikh, and Nandini, personal secretary of Mr Kovvur Somashekhar, who owned ILC Industries.
They were arrested and produced before the CBI special court, which sent them to judicial custody till June 8. They have been lodged at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
EOW sleuths, investigating the export of illicit iron ore of over 50,000 metric tonnes from Belekeri port following a Supreme Court order, have found that Eagle Traders, SB Minerals and ILC Industries supplied the ore to s Greentex Mining Company owned by Mr Ajay Karabanda.
EOW sleuths are investigating 22 cases of illicit iron ore export and are expected to carry out more arrests.
