PANJIM: In a breather to mining baron Anil Salgaocar’s sons – Sameer and Arjun – the special court granted them interim protection as arguments on their anticipatory bail applications have been adjourned to October 1.
The duo, already quizzed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the illegal mining and ore extraction case involving S Kantilal & Pvt Co Ltd last month, had moved the court fearing arrest. The State has opposed the applications seeking their custodial interrogation to unearth the alleged scam.
Besides the two, former minister Joaquim Alemao who was the raising contractor was also grilled for about three hours at the SIT office, Dona Paula last month. While he is likely to be summoned again, sources in the SIT have not ruled out his arrest.
Former Independent MLA and the company’s director Anil Salgaocar was also summoned. He failed to respond owing to poor health. Sources said SIT will issue him fresh summons once he is discharged from the hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
The SIT in 2014 had registered a criminal offence against the two politicians and others under relevant sections of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
Meanwhile, politician and mine owner Prafulla Hede’s anticipatory bail application will be heard on September 23. He is charged with illegally running a mine at Collem between 1988 and 2007 wherein the lease’s renewal was allegedly executed by illegally condoning the delay.
