A Karnataka court recently issued summons against former State Minister Gali Janardhana Reddy and others on charges of large scale illegal extraction, transportation and trading of iron ore.
The order was passed by a Special Court constituted for the trial of cases against sitting and former Ministers and Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.
After perusing the material on record, Judge Preeth J ordered a criminal case to be filed against Reddy and others. The order stated,
"Prima-Facie case is made out against the accused persons from the materials placed before me, to take cognizance of the offence punishable under section 21 and 23, R/w.4(1) and 4(1A) of Mines and Minerals Development and Regulations Act, 1957."
The complainant had alleged that the Reddy and others had sold iron ore to other companies without obtaining necessary permissions from the Department of Geology and Mines, and without paying royalties and other charges to the State government. It was stated that this caused the exchequer a financial loss of 23,89,650.
In 2009-10, Income Tax department officials raided the premises of many individuals and firms, and seized a large number of incriminating documents, digital data, and other evidence. Vital information was found at the premises of Reddy and other accused showing large scale illegal extraction, smuggling, and trading of iron ore.
The Special Court took cognizance of a private complaint by a public servant filed in the course of his official duties. The criminal case was ordered to be registered under Sections 21 (penalty for illegal mining) and 23 (offences by companies), with Sections 4(1) (Mining operations to be under license or lease) 4(1A) (storing or transporting any mineral) of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulations Act, 1957.
Another chargesheet filed in connection with this complaint also invoked Sections 379 (punishment for theft), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), and 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), read with Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code against the accused.
