CBI conducts searches at 24 places in connection with alleged illegal mining of iron ore

New Delhi/Jalandhar, February 6, 2014: The Central Bureau of Investigation has today conducted search operations at 24 places in five States in an on-going investigation relating to alleged illegal export of iron ore from Belekeri Port of Karnataka.
Supreme Court of India had ordered in October, 2013, registeration of 22 cases against the exporters of iron ore who had allegedly exported more than 50000MT without valid permits from Belekari Port in the Karwar District of Karnataka.
The CBI had registered 22 cases U/s 120-B r/w 420, 409, 379, 411, 427, 447, 468 and 471 of IPC, Sec.13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988, Sec.21 r/w 4(1), 4(1)(A) and Sec.23 of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation), 1957 and Sec.24 of Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 against the exporters of iron ore and others in October, 2013 and taken up investigation for alleged Illegal mining of iron ore, without permit, including such mining in Forest Land in Bellary District of Karnataka, and connected trading and export of iron ore.
In its endeavor to locate the suppliers, transporters involved in the illegal export, searches were conducted at 18 premises in Karnataka, two premises in Tamil Nadu and one each in Maharashtra, Goa, Haryana & West Bengal at the official & residential premises of the accused.
The searches so far have led to the recovery of 270 documents; three hard disks indicating the suppliers, transporters & stockiest of the illegally mined iron ore; Statement of Bank Accounts of accused persons and FDRs to the tune of Rs.1.64 crores(approx).