PANAJI: The special investigating team (SIT) probing the Rs 35,000 crore mining scam, on Friday found more unaccounted for, high-grade iron ore worth over Rs 1,000 crore, dumped at a site in Vagus-Pale. The team, along with officials of the directorate of mines and geology and the directorate of settlement and land records, has been surveying the dump since last week.
According to crime branch SP Karthik Kashyap, the surveys have revealed that iron ore worth crores of rupees lies unaccounted for from the same site. He said inspections would continue for a few more days.
During an earlier inspection, 60 lakh tonnes of iron ore, amounting to over Rs 1,000 crore, were found to be handled, transported and exported by Kerala-based trader Philip Jacob and others, in connivance with a reputed mine owner. The SIT had subsequently arrested Jacob.
Investigations had also revealed that Jacob's firm had a turnover of over Rs 500 crore. A scrutiny of the firm's bank statements found that over Rs 300 crore had been deposited by different exporters through RTGS transactions, and thereafter paid to mine owners in the state.
A senior SIT officer had said the transactions also pointed to over Rs 130 crore in cash withdrawals, which was paid to various mine owners in the state towards the purchase of unaccounted for iron ore from mining leaseholders and illegal traders.
According to crime branch SP Karthik Kashyap, the surveys have revealed that iron ore worth crores of rupees lies unaccounted for from the same site. He said inspections would continue for a few more days.
During an earlier inspection, 60 lakh tonnes of iron ore, amounting to over Rs 1,000 crore, were found to be handled, transported and exported by Kerala-based trader Philip Jacob and others, in connivance with a reputed mine owner. The SIT had subsequently arrested Jacob.
Investigations had also revealed that Jacob's firm had a turnover of over Rs 500 crore. A scrutiny of the firm's bank statements found that over Rs 300 crore had been deposited by different exporters through RTGS transactions, and thereafter paid to mine owners in the state.
A senior SIT officer had said the transactions also pointed to over Rs 130 crore in cash withdrawals, which was paid to various mine owners in the state towards the purchase of unaccounted for iron ore from mining leaseholders and illegal traders.
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