BANGALORE: The High Court on Friday directed the state government to examine irregularities committed by the bureaucrats while granting mining leases in the state.
While setting aside the renewal order of mining lease to two Bangalore- based mining companies in Chikkanayakanahalli, Tumkur district, Justice N Kumar directed the principal secretary of industries and commerce department to look into the matter and examine the mining issue.
"The principal secretary of industries department should carefully examine the renewal of mining leases cases and find out any skeletons in the cupboards. Minerals are national wealth and the bureaucrats should protect the same and avoid illegalities in the future," the judge observed.
Mysore Stoneware Pipes and Potteries Limited, a Bangalore-based mining company had challenged the renewal of mining lease at Sondenahalli, Somanahalli and Hatyal village in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk.
The counsel for the petitioner argued that on November 3, 2008, the director of mining department had renewed the mining licence of Deepak Chand Kishanlal Limited, a Bangalore-based company and granted the lease for mining 310 acres, which was totally contrary to the mining rules.
Handcuffing of scribe chalenged The HC has treated the letter written by Justice M F Saldanha, former judge of the High Court to the Chief Justice, regarding handcuffing of B V Seetharam, the Mangalore-based journalist, as a criminal petition.
The court has directed the registry to post it for hearing by an appropriate bench.
MLA's plea alowed The HC has quashed the notice issued by district social welfare officer of SC/ST caste verification committee of Mysore district against Chikkanna, MLA of H D Kote reserve constituency, disputing his caste.
Chikkanna argued that he belongs to the Nayaka community which comes under Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and the H D Kote tahsildar had certified his caste in March 25, 2008. Based on a complaint, the district social welfare officer issued notice on August 11, 2008 to Chikkanna. Justice N Kumar quashed the notice issued by the officer.
In an another matter, the same court directed K V R Tagore, Additional Director General of Police of Civil Rights Enforcement Cell to appear before the court on January 29, with all records of caste verification certificate of D Chikkaiah, retired bank employee.
Chikkaiah, a resident of Mandya, had challenged the proceedings of Civil Rights Enforcement Cell (CVRC) police.
CVRC claimed that the petitioner had obtained fake caste certificate from the authorities.