Illegal iron ore export, CBI raids 2 mining firms in Bellary

 CBI officials today raided two mining companies and the house of a mining firm owner here in connection with alleged illegal export of iron ore from Belikeri port in Karnataka.

The raids were carried out by 10 CBI officials, who were also assisted by a five-member team from the agency's economic offences wing from Chennai, official sources said.

The CBI action came on the basis of a report of the Deputy Commissioner who was asked by the Central Empowered Committee formed by the Supreme Court into the illegal mining issue, to look into certain illegalities.

The CBI had recently chargesheeted 18 people including Karwar MLA (independent) Satish Sail in the case.

The illegal export of iron ore from Belikeri port in Uttara Kannada district was exposed by former Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde, who in his report, had said 7.74 million tonnes of iron ore were illegally exported between 2006-2007 and 2010-11, causing huge loss to the exchequer.

CBI has been investigating the case on the order of the Supreme Court which had set up the CEC.