Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SB)

Bangalore, Dec 19: The High Court division bench headed by Justice V Gopala Gowda on Friday December 18 ordered issue of notice to state and the central governments, on a petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the illegal mining across the state.

In a Public Interest Litigation, H S Doreswamy, well-known Gandhian and freedom fighter, sought the probe into illegal mining, illegal transportation and tampering with of the inter-state boundary lines for such activities. The petitioner argued that the mining lobby had taken over the reins of the state and alleged that Constitution mechanism had completely failed.

Petitioner;s counsel, Dr Ravi Varma Kumar, in his submission, said that the state had entrusted the investigation into the illegal mining in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur to Lokyukata under Section 7 (2) A and a report recommending action was submitted to the government.

“But so far, no action has been taken against the culprits despite the report mentioning that several politicians and bureaucrats are involved in this with borders being tampered with for mining,” he argued.

He further sought directions from the High Court to investigate into illegal mining in forest areas, shifting of inter-state boundaries and withdrawal of criminal cases against those who destroyed the 150 year-old Sugalamma temple at Bellary.