<p>A team of officials of the investigating agency is said to have been camping in Bangalore for this purpose for the last few days.<br />The CBI is collecting information on investigations that were conducted in the State on illegal mining in the past. <br /><br />The agency, it is learnt, will speed up its work once the Union government issues an order for investigation.<br />The neighbouring Andhra Pradesh government recently recommended to the Centre to order a CBI probe into the alleged illegal mining by Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy. <br /><br />It is alleged that the company has changed the boundary markings to carry on illegal mining. <br /><br />The Opposition parties in Karnataka are also demanding that the State government should join hands with the Andhra Pradesh government in recommending a CBI probe. <br />It is also learnt that the CBI officials visited various places in the State in the last three days to collect information pertaining to mining being carried out in Bellary, number of lease licences issued, information about mine owners and their companies, transportation and export of minerals.<br /><br />Lokayukta report<br /><br />Besides, the CBI has collected the Lokayukta report on illegal mining and action taken report of the Government.<br /><br />Secretariat sources said that the CBI does not require permission from the Chief Minister of Karnataka or the Government to conduct enquiry. <br /><br />“If a case has to be booked by the CBI, then the State government has to give permission. But in the mining case, the case is not booked in Karnataka. But the officials of CBI may come and collect information they require. If a charge sheet has to be filed under Section 197 of CrPC, then the state government permission is required. If a minister has to be implicated, the Governor’s permission will have to sought. For routine investigation, there is no need for the CBI to take permission”, an officer explained. <br />Chief Minister Yeddyurappa held a closed-door meeting with Chief Secretary S V Ranganath on the mining issue, sources said.<br /></p>
<p>A team of officials of the investigating agency is said to have been camping in Bangalore for this purpose for the last few days.<br />The CBI is collecting information on investigations that were conducted in the State on illegal mining in the past. <br /><br />The agency, it is learnt, will speed up its work once the Union government issues an order for investigation.<br />The neighbouring Andhra Pradesh government recently recommended to the Centre to order a CBI probe into the alleged illegal mining by Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy. <br /><br />It is alleged that the company has changed the boundary markings to carry on illegal mining. <br /><br />The Opposition parties in Karnataka are also demanding that the State government should join hands with the Andhra Pradesh government in recommending a CBI probe. <br />It is also learnt that the CBI officials visited various places in the State in the last three days to collect information pertaining to mining being carried out in Bellary, number of lease licences issued, information about mine owners and their companies, transportation and export of minerals.<br /><br />Lokayukta report<br /><br />Besides, the CBI has collected the Lokayukta report on illegal mining and action taken report of the Government.<br /><br />Secretariat sources said that the CBI does not require permission from the Chief Minister of Karnataka or the Government to conduct enquiry. <br /><br />“If a case has to be booked by the CBI, then the State government has to give permission. But in the mining case, the case is not booked in Karnataka. But the officials of CBI may come and collect information they require. If a charge sheet has to be filed under Section 197 of CrPC, then the state government permission is required. If a minister has to be implicated, the Governor’s permission will have to sought. For routine investigation, there is no need for the CBI to take permission”, an officer explained. <br />Chief Minister Yeddyurappa held a closed-door meeting with Chief Secretary S V Ranganath on the mining issue, sources said.<br /></p>
