SIT seeks more time to file reply on Kamat’s plea

PANAJI: The special investigation team (SIT), probing the illegal mining scam, on Monday, again sought time before the special court to file its reply in the anticipatory bail application filed by former Congress chief minister Digambar Kamat in alleged illegal mining case related to mine owner Prafulla Hede.
Special public prosecutor G D Kirtani said the matter will come up for hearing on December 7.
SIT had previously questioned Kamat son’s Yogiraj for nearly three hours in the case. Kamat’s wife’s brother Satish Lawande was also questioned.
On September 19, 2014, a first information report (FIR) against Hede and others was registered following a complaint filed before the SIT by mines director Prasanna Acharya.
In his complaint, Acharya had stated that between 1988 and 2007 mining operations were carried out in TC (title of concession) No. 30/1950 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.
Acharya had stated the mine was operated illegally in violation of Section 4(1) (1-A) of the Act and had caused losses to the government exchequer and illegal gains to the mine operators. The SIT suspects Kamat’s involvement in the case.