The state Cabinet has given the Special Investigation Team (SIT) another year to complete its investigation into the illegal export of iron ore from ports in Karnataka. The government has transferred 73 cases to SIT after the CBI closed its investigation into them.
Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, T.B. Jayachandra said chargesheets had already been filed in 28 cases, the court had given a stay in 20 other cases, an acquittal in one and seven cases were under trial. A "B" report had been filed in 19 cases and 26 were under investigation. Five other cases were waiting sanction for prosecution and 19 were under active investigation.
A Cabinet note recalled that from April 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010, 2,04,37,786 metric tonnes of iron ore was dispatched to Mangalore port from mining blocks in Chitradurga, Hospete, Bellari, and Tumakuru. And 76 companies, firms and individuals exported it from the port.
The government also promised to release the necessary funds and human resources to help complete the investigation in the stipulated one year. Going by sources, the Cabinet discussed the anomalies of the CBI while investigating the illegal export of iron ore from Karnataka's ports. It is alleged that the CBI closed many cases without looking into their merit.
