Vigilance files chargesheet in Uliburu mining scam case

Names accusing 25 persons for extracting 6.5 mn tonne iron ore illegally between 2003-09

The vigilance wing of the state police has filed chargesheet in Keonjhar vigilance court accusing 25 persons including prime suspect Deepak Gupta in Uliburu mining scam, estimated at several thousand crores.

The chargesheet showed nearly 6.5 million tonne iron ore was extracted illegally between 2003 and 2009, whose value is estimated at Rs 1,520 crore considering ore prices at that time. Non-payment of royalty dues of Rs 3 crore, puts total loss to exchequer at Rs 1,523 crore.

“It was a challenging case since it involved high profile figures. We are still continuing investigations and will incorporate further evidence as and when we find them,” said Sashibhushan Mishra, superintendent of vigilance wing of state police.

The vigilance had initiated probe into the Uliburu mining scam, by raiding five government and private offices in Keonjhar and Bhubaneswar in July, 2012, following directions of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The chargesheet included investigation reports submitted by steel and mines department, revenue officials, forest department and satellite images of the mining boundaries.

Deepak Gupta, who was operating the Uliburu iron ore mine of B K Mohanty by virtue of a power of attorney, has been accused of violating forest and mining laws. The mine is closed since 2009 after the government cracked down on illegal mining operation in the area. The reports of the mines department suggest that the miner excavated huge amount of iron ore from forest area by shifting the boundary pillars into adjacent reserve forest even after the lease validity expired in 2003.

Though the vigilance wing had arrested Deepak Gupta and his family members in connection with the case, they are out on bail at present. Original mines lease holder B K Mohanty was also released on bail following his arrest in July last year.

The state government has decided not to renew the lease period of the miner following the allegations. It has already taken over the ownership of the mine and has already floated tender to sell unsold iron ore stacked at the mine. The government has so far taken action against 26 officials including two belonging to Indian Forest Services (IFS) in the case.

This is the first such attempt of filing of chargesheet against illegal mining offenders since 2009, when the state government had ordered launch of vigilance probe against illegal mining activities.