Capt Swamy has been missing for more than a week, after officials of the criminal investigation department sought his cooperation in a probe into 50,000 tonnes of iron ore that had disappeared from the port since March 28, 2010.
Karwar port officer Captain C Swamy is still missing, minister for environment and ports Krishna J Palemar said.
Capt Swamy has been missing for more than a week, after officials of the criminal investigation department sought his cooperation in a probe into 50,000 tonnes of iron ore that had disappeared from the port since March 28, 2010.
“The department had posted Capt Mohan to take charge of the port in the absence of Capt Swamy,” the minister said.
Palemar, on Saturday, said that he had had a conversation with Capt Swamy on February 11. The port officer had told the minister he had all records concerned, and present them to the CID officials.
“The next day I watched the report of him going missing on one of the (television news) channels,” Palemar said. “We have not still heard from him and have no information on his whereabouts.”
Meanwhile, the CID has intensified its probe into the case of missing ore, and formed 10 squads. Five officers, on the rank of deputy superintendent of police, were heading the teams. As many as 50 sleuths have been investigating the missing iron ore from Belikeri and Karwar ports.
“We have formed a special group just to nab those who have been directly involved in the theft of ore which will swing into action once we get strong evidence against them,” a senior CID officer said on the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, a central revenue intelligence team was also likely to launch a parallel investigation into the loss of revenue as well as theft of national wealth for private gain.
Government sources said that the arrival of the Central team has been delayed by a week.
“They will arrive in Karwar and Belikeri only after the CID sleuths completed their investigation,” an official, privy to the matter, said.
The sources added the forest department, which had lodged a complaint against the port department, may find itself on a sticky wicket following ‘jurisdictional matters’ over the seizure of stockpiles of ore inside the stocking area in the port.
Departments of forests, port and mining were also investigating the case, besides the Lokayukta and CID. The opposition parties have been demanding a CBI probe into the case.
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