PANJIM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Crime Branch (CB) on Friday inspected the Vaghus Pale dump site based on information they got while interrogating Philip Jacob who is presently in custody in the multi-crore mining scam.
The Kerala-based unregistered mine trader is accused of allegedly purchasing over 10 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore valued at Rs 300 crore.
The team headed by PI Dattaguru Sawant inspected the site along with Mines officials to find that a large amount of iron ore was still lying at the dump site. Its quantity is said to be in lakhs of metric tonnes.
“Mines officials have not verified the dump, which was supposed to be done by the department and ore e-auctioned thereafter. Investigations reveal that mine owners received amount through bank transactions as well as cash from accused Jacob having firm AMALAGIRI to the tune of Rs 200 crore,” SP Kartik Kashyap said.
The probe further revealed that the mine owner had dumped iron ore from different leases, and during 2009-2011 exported it through Jacob and other traders, without paying royalty.
