An iron ore trader was arrested in Goa by the Special Investigation Team in Goa, in relation to several crores of rupees in a mining scam. Kancha Gaunder, the accused, is a registered trader with State Mines and Geology department. A probe is underway against the accused in regard to illegal mining.
A senior official of SIT said to the media, “Gaunder was placed under arrest last evening as he was not cooperating with the investigating officer.” He said, “Gaunder did not cooperate during questioning. His bank accounts show huge transactions but he was not able to give a satisfactory reply about them.”
Apart from the traders, government, and mining firm officials, former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat of Congress Party are among the accused in the illegal mining case. They are also being investigated by the SIT.
Gaunder, according to SIT, paid huge amounts to mining leaseholders as well as for the illegal supply of ore and purchase of iron ore. This was later sold to the exporters. The SIT official said, “During the investigation, we also found he had not filed returns for iron ore trading which caused a loss to the state exchequer.”
From 2005 to 2012, a report by the Justice M.B. Shah Commission proves illegal mining of Rs. 35,000 crores had taken place in Goa. In July 2013, a complaint regarding the same was filed with mines and geology department. A special team was formed in 2014 to probe the scam.
