Three private companies engaged in export of iron ore have moved the Karnataka High Court questioning the State government’s order of directing a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the export of ore mined from the State through nine ports other than Belekeri port.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice Budihal R.B on Tuesday adjourned hearing to November 27, with a direction to the State to file its objections by then and ordering issue of notice to the CBI.
The companiesThe companies — ILC Industries Ltd., Hospet, Printex Exports India Pvt.Ltd. and Dream Logistics Company (I) Pvt. Ltd., Yellapura in Uttara Kannada district — have questioned the legality of the November 18, 2013 notification issued by the State entrusting the probe to the CBI.
The CBI had issued notices to the heads of these companies asking them to submit documents of ore exported by them from the nine ports. All these companies and its heads were chargesheeted by the CBI in the case.
The petitioner companies have contended that the State has no jurisdiction to order a probe by the CBI when seven of the nine ports are not under its jurisdiction.
Also, the petitioners claimed that a State cannot entrust probe to the CBI without the prior consent order from the Union government under Section 5 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
