Parrikar: Decision on CBI probe only after SIT report

There are complex issues involved in it. The government is going through it (the case). — Manohar Parrikar, Goa CM

Panaji, June 26: Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday that a decision on handing over the illegal mining case, in which former CM Digambar Kamat is under scanner, to the CBI will be taken only after the SIT submits its investigation report.

Mr Kamat, a former chief minister, who held a mining portfolio, is being investigated by the Crime Branch along with several officials from the mines and geology department and mining firms in connection with illegal mining in the state between 2005-2012.

Mr Parrikar said that the state government had not yet taken any decision on handing over the inquiry to CBI. “Let the special investigation team, which is probing the illegal mining scam give me the report. Then we will take a call on handing over the inquiry to CBI,” Mr Parrikar said in Panaji.

“There are complex issues involved in it. The government is going through it (the case),” Mr Parrikar said. The special investigation team of crime branch has been investigating the complaint by State Mines and Geology department in connection with illegal mining in the state between 2005-2012.

Former Mines and Geology department director Arvind Lolienkar was arrested by SIT in March 2014. A report of Justice (retd) M.B. Shah Commission had earlier stated that illegal mining to the tune of `35,000 crore took place in Goa from 2005 to 2012. The Supreme Court, based on the findings of the Shah Commission report, had banned iron ore extraction in the state.

A complaint was filed in July, 2013 to fix criminal liability on those involved in illegal mining.