Team Herald
BENGALURU: The City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru is set to pronounce its verdict in the high-profile Karnataka illegal mining scam on Friday, February 28. The case, which involves a Goa Cabinet Minister, his brother, and other accused, has drawn significant attention due to the alleged illegal transportation of iron ore from a mining lease in Karnataka.
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The court had initially scheduled the judgment for February 24. However, the proceedings were delayed after two of the 16 accused submitted a memo with citations. The counsels for the two defendants argued that recent developments in the Supreme Court could influence the case’s legal aspects and requested permission to submit additional information.
During the hearing, another accused clarified matters regarding the permits and other documents related to the case.
The accused also pointed to admissions made by a witness during cross-examination, asserting that the transaction involving the supply of 5,051 metric tonnes (MT) of iron ore was legitimate.
A further submission was made by another defendant on similar grounds. In response, the special public prosecutor representing the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Lokayukta requested additional time to clarify details concerning the permit obtained by M/s Adarsh Enterprises, which had been used to transport the iron ore. On Tuesday, the court heard the prosecutor’s arguments and ultimately dismissed the submissions made by the two accused.
The mining scam centers on the illegal transportation of nearly 17 metric tonnes (MT) of iron ore from the lease area of M/s S B Minerals, Vyasanakere plot, and other mines. The accused allegedly transported the ore to Belekeri Port without the necessary permits from the Department of Mines and Geology. The iron ore was then sold to M/s Eagle Traders and Logistics, circumventing legal royalty payments, tax collection at source (TCS), and forest way charges.
The prosecution claims that the illegal operation resulted in a financial loss of over Rs 1.5 crore to the government, while the accused reportedly made illegal profits from the scheme. The case continues to attract attention, particularly due to the involvement of a Goa Minister and his family in the alleged conspiracy.
