Karnataka may set up fast-track court to try illegal mining cases

Bangalore, Jul 23: Karnataka government may set up a fast-track court to try those named in the Rs 16,085 crore mining scam in the state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah indicated today, even as he favoured raising royalty on iron ore.

"Let's do it also", Siddaramaiah told Basavaraj Rayareddy (Congress), who stressed that there is a need to set up a fast-track court, during question hour in the state legislative Assembly.

"We will consider it," he responded when Mallikarjun Siddaramappa Khuba (JDS) pushed for such a measure.

The then Karnataka Lokayukta Justice (Retd) N Santosh Hegde concluded in his final report submitted to the Government on July 27, 2011, that the loss to state exchequer due to "illegalities and irregularities" in mining in the state between 2006 and 2010 is Rs 16,085 crore.

Noting that it's nearly two years since the report came, the Chief Minister admitted to delay in action against officials named in it but blamed the previous BJP government for it, pointing out that the Congress came to power only two months ago.

The Central Empowered Committee has gone into the illegal mining cases in Karntaka, which is also being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Responding to questions from Eshwar Bheemanna Khandre (Congress) and Rayareddy, Siddarmaiah said the Central government has fixed ten per cent (ad valorem basis) of market price of every tonne of iron ore as royalty (to the government).

"But the Centre does ask the State for its opinion. We will try to increase it (royalty) through correspondence with the Central government," he said.

The Chief Minister listed the steps taken by the government regarding action taken against the officials named in the report, including issuance of notices, suspension, forcible retirement, filing of criminal cases and ordering of Lok Ayukta probe.

He, however, said there is a need to speed up the resolution of cases, adding, he would convene a meeting after the conclusion of the ongoing session and discuss steps need address the issue.

Siddaramaiah also said that as per the Mineral Year Book, 2010, of Indian Bureau of Mines, Karnataka has a total deposits of 2158 million tonnes of Hematite iron ore and 7,801 million tonnes of magnetite iron ore.

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A Tragic End—Mortal Remains of Entrepreneur Mumtaz Ali Found In River

News Network

October 7,2024

Mangaluru, Oct 7: In a heartbreaking turn of events, the search for Mumtaz Ali, chairman of Misbah Group of Educational Institutions, ended with the discovery of his mortal remains in the Phalguni river near Kulur. The somber discovery came after an exhaustive search, leaving a community in shock and sorrow.

He is the younger brother of former MLA Mohuiddin Bawa and former MLC B M Farookh.

The incident has taken a deeply distressing turn with the filing of an FIR against six individuals, including a woman, who are accused of pushing Ali to a tragic end.

The accused allegedly blackmailed Ali, fabricating a story about his involvement in an illicit relationship with the woman. Reports suggest that they extorted Rs 50 lakh from Ali and were unrelenting, demanding an additional Rs 50 lakh from him, casting a shadow over his final days.

The complaint, lodged by Ali’s grieving brother, accuses these individuals of driving him to despair through relentless blackmail and false accusations, ultimately leading him to take the tragic step.

In the early hours of Sunday, Ali left his home at 3 am, heading towards Suratkal, perhaps seeking some solace. A minor accident occurred when his car collided with a private bus near MCF. Despite the mishap, he offered a heartfelt apology to the bus driver and conductor—a gesture that now echoes with the pain of his unspoken struggles. After the collision, Ali made a U-turn near Panambur circle, driving back towards Kulur bridge, where his journey came to a sorrowful end.

Ali’s last moments hold an even deeper sadness, as he left behind a voice message in Byari, naming an individual who had been tormenting him mentally. Sent to his daughter and a close friend, the message revealed the unbearable burden he was carrying, hinting at his final decision to end his suffering.

This tragic loss has left the community and his loved ones grappling with unanswered questions and a profound sense of grief. As the investigation unfolds, the memory of Mumtaz Ali lingers, a reminder of the silent battles that too often go unseen.

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