PANJIM: North Goa Special Court on Monday granted conditional bail to Assistant Geologist of Mines Department, Ramnath Shetgaonkar, who was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the multi-crore mining scam.

The court has granted bail on a surety of Rs 1 lakh bail bond and local surety of like amount. The court also directed Shetgaonkar to appear before the investigation officer for the next 15 days.

SIT is probing the multi-crore mining scam and had arrested Shetgaonkar on November 8 for conniving with other accused, including an influential politician, to cause a huge loss to the State exchequer.

Shetgaonkar was dealing with the Amalia Figueiredo lease file wherein by virtue of Power of Attorney, Imran Khan and brothers allegedly operated the mine illegally. This is the same case wherein Khan allegedly illegally extracted tonnes of ore from the property belonging to the Figueiredo family.

Shetgaonkar is also charged with failing to initiate legal action and allowing Khan and others to operate the mine illegally.

Shetgaonkar, while dealing with one more lease file, allowed Rajesh Timblo to pay the government dues prior to transfer of lease in his name.