"Substantive" evidence against CM: Karnataka Lokayukta

Bangalore, Jul 21: In a strong indictment of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, state Lokayukta Justice Santosh N Hegde today (Jul 21) said he has given "substantive" and "voluminous" evidence against him in the illegal mining scam which has cost the state exchequer Rs 1800 crore in a period of 14 months.

Terming the illegal mining scam as a "huge racket", Hegde said, "In the time period of 14 months, it is more than Rs 1800 crore.The time period is between March 2009 to May 2010. It is loss to the state exchequer".

Report has given substantive evidence whether it's the Chief Minister, Ministers and miners. "It''s a voluminous evidence", he said.

"As a matter of fact, the Chief Minister is responsible for what's happening in (mineral rich district of) Bellary because the Minister in Charge (of the district G Janardhana Reddy) is owner of a mining company (Obalapuram Mining) and a mafia-like situation is created with every official being involved," Hegde told PTI.

"They have created a new system altogether by which they could literally bleed other mining companies", he added.

Hegde, a former Supreme Court judge, said the leak of the report would not have any impact as it would not question the validity of the report, which he was expected to submit to the Government by Monday.

Attacking the BJP over the illegal mining issue, Congress today demanded the resignation of Yeddyurappa.

"Yeddyurappa must immediately resign from his post," Congress Spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said while questioning the "silence" of the BJP leadership over the "illegal mining" in Karnataka and alleged that was happening with their consent.

The BJP, for its part, said it was too early to react to the report.

PTI