SIT probe against Kumaraswamy, Dharam Singh: The case explained

On Wednesday the Supreme Court ordered that a Special Investigating Team probe allegations of irregularities against former chief ministers of Karnataka, N Dharam Singh and H D Kumaraswamy. The court sought a report in three months, but also added that the stay in the case of a probe against former Karnataka CM, S M Krishna will continue to remain in force.

The case in question relates to a complaint filed by an activist in which it was alleged that the former CMs had de-registered a huge tract of forest land to facilitate illegal iron ore mining. It was alleged by the activist, T J Abraham that illegal iron ore mining had taken place on a large scale. He had filed complaints against Krisha, Kumaraswamy and Dharam Singh.

In 2012 the Karnataka High Court had directed the Lokayukta to initiate an inquiry pertaining to the awarding of mining contracts between the years 1999 and 2004. Krishna had approached the High Court seeking relief, but was not granted the same.

Abraham had cited the report by the Lokayukta in which several politicians and bureaucrats had been named. It was contended that all those involved had allowed the de-reservation of forest land in violation of the laws and the SC order.
With the SC's latest directive, an SIT would be formed by Karnataka and the matter probed into. The SIT would have to submit its report to the Supreme Court within three months following which the future course of action would be decided.

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