Team Herald
PANJIM: The Special Investigation team (SIT) on Tuesday sought more time to submit its say on the anticipatory bail application filed by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat after he was summoned for questioning in an illegal mining case.
The Government advocate submitted before the Panjim Sessions Court that SIT would require more time to file their reply to oppose Kamat’s anticipatory bail petition. The hearing is adjourned to May 12.
The former chief minister who held the Mines portfolio is one of the accused in the illegal mining case. Kamat, who was summoned by SIT for questioning, filed an anticipatory bail plea and was granted relief, while the matter was fixed for May 2 for SIT to file their say. Kamat had appeared before the agency after court granted him relief.
According to the Justice (Retd) M B Shah Commission report, illegal mining to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore took place in Goa from 2005 to 2012.
A complaint was filed by the Mines and Geology Department in July 2013 seeking to fix criminal liability on those involved in the illegal mining as pointed out by various committees, including the Centre-appointed Shah Commission.
The Crime Branch then registered an FIR in August 2013 against those named in various reports including Kamat.
