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The Supreme Court today allowed the CBI to file criminal cases against 18 Karnataka mining companies for illegally exporting iron ore from the Belekeri port on the west coast during 2009-10.
The court passed the order on an application moved by the CBI in the public interest cases alleging rampant corruption and illegality in mining in Bellary and other districts of Karnataka. It was found that 50,000 mt of iron were exported without valid permits by firms whose names were given in a sealed cover to the court.
The centrally empowered committee appointed by the court in these cases had recommended filing of criminal cases for operating mines without valid permits. The preliminary enquiry was concluded and several illegalities by the firms were reported to the court, including illegal export. The CBI, following up the report, today moved the court for permission to act on the report of the committee. A bench headed by Justice A K Patnaik which is dealing with mining cases today gave the green signal to prosecute the firms which are named in the report.
