TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Special Investigation Team of Goa police has sought information from various departments while probing the Rs 35,000-crore illegal mining scam in the State.
“We have sought information from Mines & Geology, department of science, technology and environment, forest department and other authorities concerned,” Deputy Inspector General K K Vyas, who heads the five member team, told Herald.
The officers have also begun scrutinizing documents and crucial findings by Supreme Court’s CEC, Justice MB Shah Commission and Goa Legislative Assembly’s PAC which bolstered claims about illegal mining in Goa.
The reports were submitted along with complaint filed by Mines Director Prasanna Acharya before the CB in July. The SIT took over the investigation from CBI about two weeks ago.
The first information report (FIR) was registered taking cognizance of the complaint which named several politicians, officials of Mines department, Indian Mines Bureau, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, and held them responsible for illegal mining.
“Evidence collection is of primary importance. Depending on the nature of information gathered during the course of investigation, everybody’s connection to the case will be called into question,” Vyas said replying to a question.
The senior IPS officer has not ruled out arrests “if appropriate evidence is collected and there is requirement for arrests.” He said, “If evidence point at someone for the scam, we will not spare the person.”
