Panaji (Goa)

 

All eyes are on whether Roy Naik, son of ex-chief minister Ravi Naik will depose before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the ongoing mining, after refusing summons twice. 

Roy, one of the lease holders is being investigated into the scam that has a bunch of politicians including Digambar Kamat, bureaucrats, mines officials and lease holders on the radar. While Roy’s role into the Rs 35,000 crore scam is not specified by the investigation team, he has failed to respond to summons asking him to appear on February 9 and February 14. 

While on February 9, he cited ill-health for not appear for the investigation; there was no reason on why he skipped the second summons. The SIT then served third summons directing to appear on Friday. During this period, he also applied for anticipatory bail before the Sessions Court, hearing of which is slated on February 21. 

“Roy had skipped interrogation on two occasions in connection with investigation into main mining case. On first day he cited health reasons. SIT is investigating role of Roy in main mining case and he is wanted for interrogation to confront with available information/evidence,” a senior officer told TNV. 

The main investigation includes 187 mining leases wherein several individuals and companies are being probed. In 2012, local activist had lodged a police complaint demanding registering FIR against 151 persons including Roy for corruption and loss to State exchequer due to illegal mining. The SIT, which was formed in the same year to exclusively probe all mining related offenses, was transferred all mining-related cases.   

 

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