Panaji (Goa): Though the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of crime branch had claimed through media that they want custodial interrogation of former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, their action before the Court was different.
Despite getting time to file the reply, the SIT which is investigating the illegal mining case allegedly involving Kamat, sought more time to file their reply. The anticipatory bail petition which came before the Court is now fixed for May 12.
Kamat who was summoned by SIT on April 24 had filed anticipatory bail plea before appearing in front of the investigation officer. On the same day, the Court had granted interim anticipatory bail to Kamat while fixing the matter for hearing on May 2. The Court had asked SIT to file their reply today.
Since SIT has failed to submit their reply, the court has now fixed next hearing on May 12.
Kamat, who is named in the FIR filed by the Crime Branch in the case, had deposed before SIT on April 24.That was the second time he was summoned by SIT who had questioned in the case in February 2014
According to the report of Justice (Retd) M B Shah Commission, 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, former Mines and Geology Director 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, with intent to cause injury to any person), 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.
Team TNV
