Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Feb 11: At a time when one of the Supreme Court judges, Justice Arijit Pasayat, said that he was pained at the allegation of partiality levelled against him by H D Deve Gowda pertaining to the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise case, Gowda's son H D Kumaraswamy faced severe criticism from the state High Court in relation to a mining lease awarded during the last days of the term of his government.

On Monday February 9, Justice N Kumar ordered cancellation of a mining lease granted to Kabini Minerals Ltd for conducting mining in 127.48 acres of land in Timmappanagudi of Sandur taluk, Bellary district. The judge observed that in recommending of mining lease to this ineligible company unlawfully and without exercising prudence, the chief minister was guided by objectives other than merit.

As per rules, only those who are involved with production of steel can be permitted to conduct mining in this region. The judge was hearing a case filed by Sanwick Steels Private Ltd alleging that the government headed by Kumaraswamy had issued mining lease to the said company, in violation of the norms, at the fag end of the government's term. Sanwick Company was one of the companies that had applied for lease in this region. Even though the officials had collected details from the applicants on February 2, 2007, the government did not send any reply to them thereafter for several months. Suddenly on Septmber 27 that year, Kumaraswamy wrote to the mines and geology department, recommending for issuance of lease to Kabini Minerals Ltd. The department in turn, wrote to the union government, based on the said recommendation, seeking its permission, as the area falls under forest region. Sanwick approached the High Court, seeking cancellation of the lease.

The judge said that the government's action in issuing lease to an ineligible company at a time when applicants who fulfilled all the criteria were available was not in order.