Former Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat was today questioned by special investigation team (SIT) of Goa crime branch for more than two hours in connection with the illegal mining during his tenure as state mines minister.
“Kamat was questioned for around two-and-half hour on various clarifications that were required for the SIT of crime branch which is investigating into the complaint of illegal mining in Goa,” a senior crime branch official said.
The former chief minister had moved to the court during early morning today and got interim anticipatory bail restraining SIT from arresting him. The court while giving ‘interim relief’ to the former chief minister on his application has fixed next hearing in the case on May 2.
He was granted the relief on the condition to cooperate with the SIT. The former chief minister was also asked to furnish Rs one lakh and surety in like amount.
After he received interim relief from the court, Kamat appeared before the investigating officer. “Kamat was placed under technical arrest after the interrogation but was released as he had already secured interim anticipatory bail,” the officer said.
SIT has already questioned two former state mines and geology directors – Arvind Lolienkar and Jagannath Bhingui – in connection with the illegal mining case.
A report of Justice (retd) M B Shah Commission had earlier stated that illegal mining to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore took place in Goa from 2005 to 2012, when the Supreme Court banned iron ore extraction in the state.
A complaint was filed by the Mines and Geology Department in July 2013 seeking to fix criminal liability on those involved in the illegal mining as pointed out by various committees, including the Centre-appointed Shah Commission.
The crime branch then registered an FIR in August 2013 against those named in various reports (Shah Commission and other committees) including Kamat, Then director of mines and geology Arvind Lolienkar, and some other officials of the department, mining firms and others.
The FIR was registered under various IPC sections, including 120 (b) (conspiracy), 166 (public servant disobeying law), relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, Mines and Minerals Development Act, Mineral Conservation and Development Rules and Goa Prevention of Illegal Mining Transportation, Storage of Minerals Rules 2004.
Based on the complaint, the SIT was formed by the then BJP government to probe the case.
An apex court appointed Central Empowered Committee and state Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee had also confirmed illegal mining in the state.
Team TNV
