Inspectors accused in mining scam still working in Lokayukta: CM

Action likely against IPS officer Sonia Narang for 'helping' illegal miners

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said two police officers who are facing corruption charges in illegal mining cases are still working in the Lokayukta.

Disclosing this in the Legislative Assembly while replying to Mallikarjuna S Khuba (JD-S), the chief minister said police inspectors Nagaraj M Madalli and M Dharmendra, who had earlier worked in Bellary district, are facing the allegations of receiving bribe from mining scam accused Kharadapudi Mahesh of Hospet.

Nagaraj who is said to have received bribe while he was in the Hadagali police station, is now inspector at the Bagalkot Lokayukta office. Dharmendra, who had earlier worked at Bellary’s Hagari police station, is now inspector at Mysore Lokayukta office.

In a report submitted to the House, Siddaramaiah has also stated that IPS officer Sonia Narang too is facing allegations of encouraging illegal mining. Now she is commandant, first battalion, KSRP, Bangalore. He said that the government was considering action against her.

The Lokayukta, in his report, had stated that 787 officers including 191 police officers were party to the illegal mining. It has already been reported that IPS officers M N Nagaraj and Eshwarachandra Sagar are facing charges. For the first time, Narang’s name has been made public in this regard.

Action delayed

The chief minister admitted that there has been a delay in taking action against officials who colluded with those who were into illegal mining. But he hastened to add that his government was not responsible for it. The final report reached the government two years ago on August 27. But, there has been a delay in taking action against the guilty officials. A committee will be constituted to decide the course of action to be taken, after the conclusion of the legislature session.

He said that notices have been issued to the 198 officers who are facing bribery charges. The CID is probing five officers, while the Lokayukta has been investigating 98 others. The committee headed by police officer V S D’Souza has been able to identify 97 police personnel who had allegedly encouraged illegality. But, it has not been able to identify 94 personnel.

Replying to Eshwara Khandre (Cong), Siddaramaiah said that as per the Indian Bureau of Mines’ report of 2010, the state has 9,959 million tonnes of iron ore deposit. In the last three years, 7.65 crore tonnes of ore has been extracted and the royalty earned by the state was Rs 1,519.68 crore.

Special court may try cases

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured the Assembly that the government would consider the suggestion to set up a fast track court to try illegal mining cases.

Mallikarjuna Khuba (JD-S) and Basavaraj Rayareddy (Cong) pressured the chief minister to set up a special court. Siddaramaiah, who was not categorical in his reply, just said he would look into the suggestion.

He said the State has suffered a loss of Rs 16,000 crore due to illegal ore export. In addition, the tax evasion was Rs 2,000 crore. The government would try to recover the losses, he added.