Bellary: The September 15 order of the Supreme Court on the state's illegal iron ore mining scam has put Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a fix.
The court has signalled to the state government that it should initiate criminal prosecution against 56 errant mining lease holders, many of whom are big names in the ruling Congress party from the ore-rich Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts.
In disposing of the petitioner's plea, on 15th September, the green bench of the apex court headed by Justice J.S. Khehar ordered, “we consider it just and appropriate to clarify, that the measures adopted by this Court, at no stage, should be considered to be indicative of the fact, that prosecution shall not be initiated against those who had violated penal provisions of law”.
Former minister and MLAs Santosh Lad and Mr Anil Lad own M/s V S Lad and Sons, while H G Ranganagouda and other mining giants like the Baldotas and Jindals also operate mines in the district.
M/s S B Minerals (M L No.2515) is the only mine operated by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, Mr Anand Singh.
Although 51 mining licences including M/s V S Lad and Sons have been cancelled for gross violations, the court has not ordered any action for violating penal provisions of law.
