Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 1: A division bench of the state High Court, headed by Justice V G Sabhahit and Justice A S Bopanna, on Monday May 31, ordered for the inclusion of Karnataka Lokayukta as one of the defendants in a case filed by mining companies.

It may be recalled that iron ore stock worth several crores of rupees was confiscated at Belekeri port near Karwar sometime back, in an operation conducted by the Lokayukta in coordination with forest department officials. It was alleged that the illegally mined ore was deposited on the shores of Belekeri port by miners in a clandestine operation, for exporting it through that port. In their application, the mining companies said that the ore trucks being sent by them are being confiscated by the forest department illegally, even though their mining leases had recently been renewed.

The public prosecutor said that no licences were issued to the vehicles to carry iron ore, and that the ore being confiscated was illegally mined.

After hearing the arguments, the division bench issued directions to add the investigating team of Lokayukta as one of the defendants.

The bench also reserved orders on a verdict passed by a division bench of the HC headed by the Chief Justice earlier, banning mining activities up to a distance of a kilometre from bridges, as it felt that they can harm the bridges. The miners had preferred an appeal against this order, questioning the bench’s opinion that mining activities in the vicinity of bridges can harm the bridges.