HC notice on lease at Belekeri port

Salagaokar Mining Industries Private Limited and Tungabhadra Minerals Private Limited had challenged the cancellation of lease given to them.

The petitioners were given a 30-year lease of 32,000 sq mtrs of land at Belekeri port. During investigation into export of iron ore without valid permits, an FIR was filed on March 15, this year. Subsequently, the lease was cancelled on July 8, 2010. The petitioners contended that lease has been cancelled without providing an opportunity of being heard.

Arguments heard
The High Court heard arguments in the case filed by the Reddy ministers and Sriramulu challenging the notice issued to them by the Election Commission. Mukul Rohtagi, senior counsel for the ministers contended that the Governor and the EC have no jurisdiction over the matter related to mining. Senior counsel Basavaprabhu S Patil, arguing for Minister Karunakara Reddy said that a complaint given to the Governor had to meet the criteria for disqualification under Article 191(1) of the Constitution.