In a big jolt to multi-national giant Vedanta, HC orders to complete probe within one month in the alleged Rs 600 cr Rock Phosphate mining scam
Countdown for justice begins in Vedanta’s alleged Rock Phosphate mining scam as the High Court has ordered to complete the probe within one month in this case. The High Court has directed investigating officer to present the compliance report on March 21. Justice Banwari Lal Sharma acted on the criminal petition filed by senior counsel A K Jain in which Jain has accused the state government and Anti Corruption Bureau of protecting Vedanta in the Rs 6,000 crore Rock Phosphate mining scam.
The court asked the investigating officer as to what action has been taken even after filing FIR two and a half years ago? The investigating officer informed the court that a letter has been issued to the mining department regarding allotment of Rock Phosphate Mines to a private company. The officer assured the court that investigation would be completed in a month.
During the proceedings, the court asked Additional Attorney General Anurag Sharma whether private companies can be given facilities and gains on the lines of public units? The AAG could not reply.
In the petition, counsel A K Jain has argued that the mining of Rock Phosphate can be carried out by public sector companies only. Till 2003, the mining was done by Hindustan Zinc only and during that period Hindustan Zinc was taken over by Vedanta. The state given then didn’t renew the mining license in 2006. On that issue, Vedanta on behalf of Hindustan Zinc filed a petition in the High Court. The government counsel in 2008 informed the High Court on the verbal instructions of the then mines secretary Ashok Singhvi that government is allowing mining permission to the petitioner. The High Court then issued orders in favour of Vedanta.
In the petition, it is mentioned that the people involved in this entire episode connived and decided not to appeal against this order.
On the other hand, ACB registered case on a secret information in 2011. Then after investigating the matter for 4 years, ACB filed an FIR against Ashok Singhvi and other officers of Vedanta on September 23, 2015.
In the petition, it is argued that no action has been taken against the guilty even after elapse of 2.5 years of filing FIR.
In 1984, the mines department had issued an order restricting mining rights of Rock Phosphate to only public sector unit - Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited. Defying the rules, Vedanta - a private sector company was given permission for mining Rock Phosphate. The petitioner demands a CBI enquiry into the matter.
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