Justice MB Shah Commission probing the mining scam in different states on Tuesday said some of the cases in Odisha are complicated and require additional time for investigation.
“We have verified only 64 mines in the last five days. The delay is mostly due to some more complicated mines,” UV Singh, who is heading the six-member team of the commission to the State, told mediapersons here.
Singh was replying to a question on the slow pace of investigation. The team had earlier visited Odisha in December last year as part of the probe panel.
Though the commission formally began its probe on October 4 this time, it has so far covered only 64 of the over 140 mines. Only four or five mines could be examined in a day.
The commission, which is scheduled to complete its second phase of investigation on October 11, would be able to cover a maximum of 100 mines during the period, said a member, adding that digital maps of mines and records since 1952 are also being examined.
They may again visit the State to complete the investigation, Singh said. He also did not rule out visits to certain mines during the third leg of investigation. However, he indicated that the team is likely to be here and examine the records.