Panaji, Sep 16 (TOI): Stating that 'politically influential' mine owner Prafulla Hede had 'well planned a conspiracy in connivance with some officials of the mines department and other government officials' in the illegal mining case, the special investigation team (SIT) of the Goa police on Tuesday, before a special court, sought his custodial interrogation to unearth the bigger conspiracy.
"The investigation is at a crucial stage and custodial interrogation of the accused is very much necessary for the purpose of further investigation," the police reply stated. Special public prosecutor G D Kirtani filed the police reply before the special court.
On August 28, Hede had filed an anticipatory bail plea before the special court at Panaji.
"The accused is required for the purpose of further investigation and to unearth the criminal conspiracy which has benefited him and has caused corresponding loss to state exchequer," police reply stated.
SIT also stated that Hede carried out illegal mining activities, assuming to get mining permission, and extracted ore.
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 alleged '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 stated that 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.
In another case, following a complaint filed by social activist Sudip Tamankar, Hede had been booked in October 2013 by the anti-corruption branch (ACB) of the vigilance department.
In the ACB case against Hede, former Congress chief ministers Digambar Kamat and Pratapsingh Rane, former mines minister Somnath Zuwarkar and some government officials had been named. The case was then transferred to SIT for further investigation, but SIT had later filed a closure report in the case.