Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Dec 28: Relating to the case in which the state government allegedly suffered a revenue loss of Rs 44.31 crore after 97.551 tonnes of seized iron ore went missing from Belekeri port a few months ago, the criminal investigation department (CID) filed charge sheets against a port official, three mining companies, and officials of three mining firms, on Monday December 27. It has named four persons and three companies as accused in the case.

Belekeri port conservator, Mahesh Biliye, Salgaonkar Mining Industries Ltd, Tungabhadra Minerals Pvt Ltd, and Gimpex Lltd have been shown as defendants in the case. In addition, executive director of Tungabhadra Minerals, Ramasubba Reddy, senior manager of Salgaonkar Mining, Ramachandra Vasu Nayak, and supervisor of Gimpex, K Chandran, have also been named as accused. CID officials said that the defendants face cases under sections 379, 411, 120 (b) and 35 of Indian Penal Code.

It may be recalled that the forest department officials had confiscated iron ore that was being illegally transported, and had held the stock so confiscated at Belekeri port. The port conservator was given custody of the ore, but it was later found that around five lac tonnes of the ore had gone missing from the port. A complaint about missing ore had been filed in Ankola court by the deputy conservator of forests, Ankola. Allegedly, four stevedore companies functioning in the said port, which primarily handle work relating to maintaining stocks, had connived with the mining companies for illegal transportation of ore from there, it has been alleged.  Mahesh Biliye has been accused of violating court orders and being hand in glove with some exporters and Salgaonkar Industries, and stevedores of the port, in stealing the confiscated ore and exporting the same.

Salgaonkar Mining Industries, its sister concern, Tungabhadra Minerals, and Gimpex Ltd have been accused of playing a role in this illegal export.