Many of the newspapers have today wrongly reported that the Bombay High Court at Goa has directed that an F.I.R be registered against 151 persons in connection with the alleged illegal mining. Infact no such order has been passed directing an F.I.R specifically against 151 persons.
Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice R. P. Sondurbaldota have passed a very vague order directing the Goa Government to file an FIR in respect of the offences alleged to have been committed by the persons responsible for illegal mining in the State of Goa, including the lessees of the mines and all those who permitted such illegal mining of iron ore and manganese ore, in contravention of the relevant statutory provisions. Infact the Court in its order has recorded the statement of the Advocate General that the complaint dated 15th September, 2012 does not contain relevant particulars, such as areas where the alleged offences have been committed, etc and, therefore, the government would file an FIR only after gathering all relevant material. The High Court order may in effect not hold the ground as the same issue of registering the F.I.Rs and recovering the loot is pending before the Supreme Court in the petition filed by the Goa Foundation. The report on the illegal mining in Goa submitted by Justice Shah Commission is also under challenge before the Supreme Court. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is on record saying that there were large scale discrepancies and inaccuracies in the Shah Commission report. The illegal mining in Goa which accelerated from the year 2000 has been an all party venture and loot with the Congress, BJP, NCP and MGP having all enjoyed the pie with Manohar Parrikar himself having been Chief Minister from 24 October 2000 to 2 February 2005. We can be assured that as far as the rampant illegal mining and plunder of the State, no one will be punished and not a paisa will be recovered. All this empty rhetoric is merely for the gallery. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
