BANGALORE: In a jolt to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, the High Court on Friday allowed the Lokayukta police to continue the probe into charges relating to de-reservation of forest areas, which the paved way for large-scale illegal mining. However, it quashed charges against him in a case related to the mismanagement of the state-owned Mysore Minerals Ltd (MML) during his tenure as chief minister.
Krishna had filed a petition seeking to quash an FIR against him in a private complaint alleging that he allowed illegal mining during his tenure as CM between 1999 and 2004, and was instrumental in de-reservation of forest areas, which paved the way for large-scale illegal mining.
Justice Anand said, “The reference under Section 156(3) CrPC for investigation of offences allegedly committed by Krishna in the matter of de-reservation of forests, pursuant to the Cabinet decision dated December 16, 2002, is confirmed.” However, the judge said the complaint in relation to illegal acts committed in the management of Mysore Minerals Limited were quashed.