More skeletons may tumble out of the cupboard.
Continuing their investigations into the illegal mining scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday, arrested S Muthaiah, suspended range forest officer (RFO), and SP Raju, former deputy director of mines and geology.
The two were picked up from Bangalore and taken into custody till May 10 for further questioning after producing them before the special CBI court.
An officer with the Indian Forest Service, Muthaiah was serving as CEO of zilla panchayat, Bellary. He was transferred as Dharwad conservator of forests after his involvement in the mining scam was proved by Lokayukta investigation. But he refused to vacate his Bellary post until chief secretary SV Ranganath told him to demit the office.
The central empowered committee (CEC), which investigated illegal mining, indicted Muthaiah 60-odd officials in and around Bellary district for helping abet illegal mining.
Although the CEC and Lokayukta filed a report detailing the nexus between politicians and officials, no penal action or investigation was ordered by the state government.
The CEC report, which was submitted to the Supreme Court, mentioned that apart from officials, transporters involved in the movement of illegal iron ore were also questioned.
However, the CBI, which is investigating the illegal mining case in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh involving former minister G Janardhan Reddy, may be able to expose more officials and politicians with the arrest of Muthaiah and Raju.
Tappal Ganesh, one of the whistle-blowers, hailed Monday’s arrest, saying it could expose more scams.
He requested the CBI to confiscate all properties of the mining companies, which have ruined the forest area.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}