The Special Investigation Team (SIT) today charge sheeted ex-Chief Minister and sitting Congress legislator Digambar Kamat, mining baron Prafulla Hede and another person in the illegal condonation at Collem mines. 

 

The 1,547-page charge sheet was filed before the District & Sessions Court at Margao. The case saw many twists and turns with the accused even moving for anticipatory bail, which was also granted by the local court.  

 

The FIR registered on September 19, 2014 was based on a complaint by Mines Director Prasana Acharya, ‘mining operations were carried out in TC (title of concession) no 30/1950 between 1988 and 2007 year through the illegal condonation of delay given by a public servant/government official at that period, which was in violation of Section 19 of the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.’ Then CM Digambar Kamat held the reins of the State when the renewal of the mining license was allegedly granted.

Hede however shot back at the charges arguing that condonation of delay in applying for renewal of his mining lease at Collem was carried out by the Centre in 1992-93 year and slammed the Directorate of Mines & Geology Department for the ‘goof up’ resulting in a criminal case against him. 

“The State government had no powers to condone the delay and was duty bound to comply with Central government’s directions. The condonation of delay in applying for renewal of Collem Mine license was done in 1992-93 to the central government and the order was passed by the central government on February 9, 1993 to the State government in exercise of its revisionary powers for compliance by the latter,” he had said.