The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today carried out simultaneous raids in 17 locations across Karnataka and Goa in the Rs 2,500 crore Belekeri iron ore scam. Among the venues raided included the residence of former Karnataka Minister and jailed mining baron G Janardhan Reddy in Bellary. Raids were also conducted in the city, Karwar and Hospet. The CBI had filed the First Information Report (FIR) with the designated Court yesterday in connection with Belekeri iron ore scam. The country’s premier investigation Agency had registered five cases in connection with the illegal iron ore export scam on a direction from the Supreme Court. Preliminary enquiry against firms and exporters allegedly related with illegal mining and export of nearly 50 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore from Belekeri port in Karnataka, CBI sources said. A ten-member CBI team searched the houses of Karapudi Mahesh, Swastik Nagaraj and Somasekhar, who runs a transport firm, all aides of Reddy. Raids were also conducted in Sandur Taluk of mine-rich Bellary district.
—-UNI