Stating that he was ready to submit the final report into the illegal mining of granite in the State, IAS officer and Legal Commissioner U. Sagayam on Monday moved the High Court to ensure his personal safety, the safety of his associates and the integrity of his efforts.
Mr. Sagayam’s advocate M. Radhakrishnan moved the first bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M. Sundar during hearings to extend the tenure of Mr. Sagayam’s investigating commission. The court granted extension till August 31, 2017 for the submission of the commission’s final report.
Mr. Sagayam’s petition is seen as an omnibus attempt to protect various aspects and the legacy of the investigation, which began in September 2014. The petition said that the final report comprises 1,004 files, running to over 11,000 pages of annexure.
Twin threats
Mr. Sagayam’s petition mentioned two threat letters against him. The letters were forwarded to the Madurai Commissioner of Police and two cases have been filed at the Tallakulam police station. Though the petition has sought action against those who sent him these letters, it does not ask for police protection for the Legal Commissioner.
The first letter was received on December 15, 2014, and was written by an individual named Kumar, asking the Legal Commissioner to leave Madurai immediately after winding up his investigation. “It further threatened that the Legal Commissioner would be killed and buried in the granite quarries....,” said the petition. On March 9, 2015, a letter written by one N. Kasthuri Ranga Iyyangar was received with a threat note.
Mr. Radhakrishnan also sought protection for one M. Sevarkodiyon, who “came forward to provide such information, especially in connection with human sacrifice, against the mighty mining lessees. He is facing severe threats from vested interests.” Mr. Sagayam’s lawyer also sought a detailed investigation into the death of S. Parthasarathy, another individual who had assisted the Legal Commissioner.
The aero-modelling expert was killed in April 2015 when his car crashed into a tree in Madurai. He had been assisting Mr. Sagayam in surveying the extent of mining activity in water-logged quarries with his quadcopter.
Mr. Sagayam also sought to protect his credibility in the future. “In the event of any designed attempt by vested interests to undermine the strenuous work....resulting in loss of credibility and reputation, the Special Officer / Legal Commissioner shall be given the option of utilising the best services of the Advocate to defend at the cost of Government,” said the petition.
The petitioner’s counsel sought to safeguard the correspondence between the Legal Commissioner and various government departments, and said that the High Court should make efforts to preserve them.
The petition also prayed that the High Court direct the State government to address the concerns of the farmers of Melur and Madurai East taluks, who have been affected by illegal mining.
The bench has adjourned further hearing on the petition to September 15.