A single judge bench of Orissa High Court comprising Justice CR Dash on Tuesday granted bail to Bijay Kumar Mohanty, the licensee who is one of accused in Uliburu mining scam.
The court has directed that the petitioner shall be released on bail on furnishing security of Rs 30,000 and two sureties for the like amount. The HC has further stipulated the condition that he shall appear before the investigating officer as and when required. The court’s directive came in pursuance to a bail petition filed by Mohanty who was in custody since July 29. The petitioner was arrested by the State Vigilance in connection with illegal mining in Uliburu mines in Keonjhar district.
The allegation against petitioner was that he was licensee of the said mining area for a period of 20 years and even after expiry of the lease period, he illegally executed a power of attorney in favour of one Dipak Gupta in 2003.Gupta operated the mine and extracted minerals beyond the leasehold area. It is further alleged that such activities of power of attorney holder was within the knowledge of petitioner and by process there has been illegal gain of more that Rs1,000 crores at the cost of State’s revenue.