Illegal mining: ACB complaint lodged against CM

RTI activist K R Ravindra lodged a complaint with the ACB in Bengaluru on Tuesday against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly extending support to illegal mining activities at Bebi Betta in Pandavapura taluk.

The activist claimed that Yathin Stone Crusher owner B M Nataraju, who is involved in illegal mining activities on Survey Number 1, Amrut Mahal Kaval, Bebi Betta, is a distant relative of the Chief Minister. He alleged that on February 24, 2014 the CM convened a meeting of officials concerned at Mysore Airport directing them to provide the required materials for the crushing units. This is akin to supporting the accused in the illegal activities, he said.

Demanding a probe into the issue, Ravindra told DH that the company is one of those which had been fined by the department of Mines and Geology. A copy of the complaint has been sent to the Director General of Police, Anti Corruption Bureau and the Governor, he said.