SC receives sealed papers on State politicians

Digging deep: CEC submits interim report to court

These documents have been submitted in a sealed cover to the Supreme Court, and the CEC has said that it will “verify the information and thereafter will file its report in the matter”.

While the CEC has not named the politicians, it has referred indirectly to them. It refers to the controversy surrounding Prerana Trust run by Yeddyurappa’s family by stating “alleged receipt of huge amounts as donations by a trust managed by close relatives of a senior political leader in the State from a business house and its business associated companies and who is alleged to have received undue favour from a State government mining company.”

Similarly, it refers to political leaders from Bellary by referring to “growing mining mafia in Bellary”, and “alleged export duty evasion and income tax evasion by mining company owned by a senior political leader”. The latter refers to Obulapuram Mining Company(OMC), on which the income tax department has filed a report of under-invoicing and violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

The CEC has also stated that the second report will also look into illegal permission granted for transportation of iron ore from a mining lease expired long back. This refers to the granting of permission by former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to lift iron ore to Janthakal Enterprises.

Other issues to be submitted in the next report include grant of illegal transport permits, de-reservation of substantial area for mining by private persons, action against senior officers and public functionaries, illegal/improper agreements entered into by the Mysore Minerals and other related issues.