Team Herald
PANJIM: Director of Damodar Mangalji & Company Pvt Ltd, Gopal Dharwadkar, was questioned on Wednesday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the multi-crore illegal mining scam which allegedly occurred from 2003 to 2012.
Dharwadkar was questioned at the SIT-Crime Branch office by Superintendent of Police Priyanka Kashyap and Investigation Officer Dattaguru Sawant.
Sources at Crime Branch said that SIT sought clarifications regarding their taking over and running mines belonging to Dempo in Bicholim and in consideration handing over their mine to Dempo.
SIT questioned Dharwadkar on exports and reserve dumps of iron ore and royalty paid between 2003 and 2012 in order to calculate the loss to the State exchequer.
Sources also said that SIT sought details of Rajani Mineral Export, a sister concern of Damodar Mangalji.
Sources said SIT found illegalities to the extent of under invoicing to evade royalties and the director was interrogated specifically for the period of 2005 -2010.
Mine 2FE/71 was virgin as per IBM inspection, but extraction of ore shown by the company and its exported was revealed during interrogation. SIT suspects illegal export of ore worth crores of rupees. SIT has given the company an opportunity to clarify on this.
When contacted, SIT officials refused to reveal details of the investigation stating that these cannot be revealed while the investigation is in progress.
