Siddaramaiah denies conspiracy behind illegal mining probe

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that there is no political conspiracy behind ordering Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the cases of illegal mining of iron ore.

Speaking to reporters at Suttur in Nanjangud taluk, the CM said, "A few illegal mining cases were not probed as per the law and the Union government was trying to protect the culprits, by denying permission for the probe."

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which was investigating the cases, had closed a few cases due to lack of evidence and a committee headed by Minister H K Patil was constituted to review the report submitted by the CBI. Based on the recommendations of the committee, the cases are being handed over to SIT, the CM said.

Lokayukta officials have submitted a report on illegal mining cases. But the Union government is not permitting the investigation, he said.

Minister H K Patil said, "The Union government denied permission to the CBI to continue a probe in a few cases and thus, the cases have been referred to the SIT.