'DNA' Exclusive: CBI to probe a 'Belekeri' scam at Karwar

The state CID gas recommended to the state government to hand over to CBI for investigation a case of 50,000 tonne iron ore going missing from Karwar Port, after seeing parallels with incident in which 5,00,000 tonne of ore were stolen from Belekeri port.

The CID made the recommendation after finding that the suspected persons and nature of crime in both cases are similar. The CBI is investigating the Belekeri case.

The ore, seized by the law enforcement and forest officials in 2010 is missing from Karwar port, where it was in the custody of the forest department. The CID investigation reveals that 23 mining companies, 22 stock yards, 38 exporters were behind the disappearance of more than 50,000 metric tonne iron ore, and has found that the cast of characters is same or similar to the Belekeri case. The CID sleuths feel that the case will become very stronger, if a parallel investigation is done in both cases.

Based on the Lokayukta report the state government ordered for CID investigation into the iron ore missing scam. The CID police registered separate cases and started investigation.
Later, the Supreme Court ordered for a CBI inquiry into the  the disappearance of iron ore from Belekeri port, followed by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommendation for action. The CBI has registered case and nabbed many people including former minister Janardhana Reddy, his associates and some others in the case.

"Verification of documents from the stock yards and also with the exporting companies shows that   the accused persons and firms in both cases are the same," a police officer from CID said.

Top CID officials are set to write to the State government formally to hand over the case to the CBI.

@SANTHURB