Team Herald
PANJIM: Bandekar Brother Pvt Ltd (RNSB Group) has come under the scanner of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing illegalities and irregularities in the mining industry prior to 2012.
Suvarna Bandekar and other representatives of the firm were questioned by investigation sleuths at the Crime Branch office, Ribandar on Saturday morning.
Sources said they were questioned on the actual extraction, production and export of iron ore. Special emphasis was laid on large amount of dumped ore stored at their mining lease between 2003 and 2011. Alleged evasion of royalties, besides disposing of dumped ore, were also on the list of questions.
“We suspect that export of iron ore by Bandekar Mines was sourced from other mining leases through registered and unregistered traders/exporters. The officials were also asked on the alleged encroachment of mining lease. They have submitted details on their deposition. All these will be verified,” an official said.
SIT has summoned directors of eight mining companies of which three have deposed, while one was issued fresh summons and another approached the local court seeking anticipatory bail. The companies are being quizzed in one of the largest of the total cases – registered by SIT.
– comprising 183 mining leases.
