Bellari: Nanda Kumar Singh, partner of SVK Minerals in Ballari was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing illegal mining cases, on Saturday.

 

Reports say that he was arrested for illegally exporting and selling 23,000 tonnes of iron ore to a mineral company in Odisha.

 

Inspector-General of Police Charan Reddy, who is heading the probe, said Mr. Nanda Kumar Singh was supplying iron ore to Odisha through Belekeri port. The accused will be taken into custody for a detailed probe to ascertain possible involvement of other miners and officials, a senior police officer said.

 

The government has referred 43 cases to the Lokayukta for detailed investigation of illegal mining and exports by various mining companies in Ballari, Chitradurga and Tumakuru districts. Several people representing mining companies in Ballari have been arrested already, and many of them have also taken anticipatory bail.