Goa: Conduct detailed survey of 58 leases, investigating team tells mines bureau

PANAJI: The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Rs 35,000 crore Goa mining scam has written to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), asking it to conduct a detailed survey of 58 mining leases to ascertain whether there was actual iron ore extraction from them between 2007 and 2012, and to find the approximate loss to the state exchequer.
The SIT’s letter to the IBM said the survey it requested is “necessary for the purpose of investigation”.
Police said that during the investigation, it has come to light that 58 mining leases were operational between 2007 to 2012, and the SIT wants to know whether there was really extraction from those leases, or some manipulation.
The SIT has completed a preliminary report of over 50% of the mining leases. In all, it is probing alleged violations in 126 mining leases.
The report consists of verification of documents of mining leases, whom the leases were allotted to and who was operating them, and whether valid environment clearances were obtained. Based on this report, a final decision pertaining to the investigation will be taken by the SIT.
The SIT had filed 16 first information reports (FIRs) in the illegal mining cases, of which eight have been chargesheeted, three have been closed, and three others transferred to the police stations concerned. Three other cases have been quashed by the court, a senior police officer said.
Incidentally, not much progress has been made in the investigation, despite the SIT having probed the case for over six-and-a-half years now.
On July 26, 2013, the mines department had filed a criminal complaint with the crime branch, seeking that criminal liability be fixed against those involved in the mining scam. It had also requested the police to file an FIR against the people identified in the reports of the Supreme Court-appointed central empowered committee, the Shah Commission, and the public accounts committee.
In April 2021, the DGP had directed the SIT to “speed up and complete the investigation”. The directions came during a meeting with the crime branch superintendent of police and the police inspectors investigating cases related to illegal mining.