BENGALURU: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the Janthakal mining scam, has issued a summons notice to former chief minister Dharam Singh, whose name figures in the alleged large-scale irregularity. He is one of the three top accused in the scam. The other two accused are former chief ministers Kumaraswamy and S.M. Krishna.
Mr Singh has been asked to appear before the investigating officer on July 30 to record his statement in connection with the scam. However, considering the ill-health of the former CM, the investigating officers are likely to visit Mr Singh's home to record his statement.
Mr Singh is accused of allowing illegal iron ore mining and for de-reservation of 11,797 sqkm of forest land in Bellary district. The Supreme Court, on March 29, had ordered the SIT to probe the role of two former chief ministers Kumaraswamy and Dharam Singh in awarding the contract to mining companies by flouting rules. It had directed the SIT to submit a report within three months. The SIT has, however, sought more time to submit the report.
Abraham T. Joseph, a businessman and an activist, had approached the trial court seeking registration of an FIR against various bureaucrats and the three former chief ministers, alleging that they connived with several bureaucrats and others to allot forest lands, paving way for large-scale illegal iron ore mining.
