The Karnataka illegal mining case related to Adanis and JSW will come up for hearing next week.
A compelling case for extension of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into illegal mining in Karnataka filed by two NGOs — National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR) and Samaj Parivartan Samuday (SPS) — is to come up before the Central empowered committee on March 20 and at the Supreme Court next week.
Addressing reporters, Mr S. R. Hiremath, founder NCPNR, said, “Considering the corporate entities and personalities involved and the influence that they wield in the state, the said investigation can only be effectively conducted by an external agency like the CBI with its expertise on the many complex issues and going beyond the State wherever necessary.”
“The investigation should be handed over to the CBI, which is currently investigating cases of illegal mining and related illegalities like corruption in Karnataka,” he added.
CEC has invited along others Karnataka Government officials, petitioners (Mr S. R. Hiremath representing SPS), M/s JSW Steel Ltd, M/s Adani Enterprises, for hearing issues arising out of the comprehensive interlocutory application (IA) dated January 16, 2012, filed by SPS which raises the a set of matters involving the powerful nexus of corporates-miners-officials and people's representatives which includes former chief minister, Mr B. S. Yeddyurappa.
Mr Hiremath said as a major step in holding Mr Yeddyurappa accountable, the NCPNR study team has unearthed an array of important documents and has made a detailed submission to the CEC outlining in vivid details with supporting documents against Mr Yeddyurappa.
He further added that documents related to the case involving individuals from various political parties including the Reddy brothers and major corproates like M/s JSW Steel Ltd and M/s Adani Enterprises, have been meticulously investigated by Dr U. V. Singh and his officials under the guidance of the then Lokayukta of Karnataka, Justice Mr Santosh Hegde.