The Special CBI Court on Tuesday rejected the bail application of businessman Pawan Kumar Jain whose firm PJS Overseas Ltd. allegedly exported a part of the 5 lakh tonnes of iron ore that was stolen from Belekeri port in 2010.
The ore had been seized by a team of Forest Department officials, led by the then Deputy Conservator of Forests R. Gokul, and stored in the Belekeri port from.
Although the Criminal Investigation Department, which earlier investigated the case gave Mr. Jain a clean chit, the CBI, which was handed the case by the Supreme Court, claimed to have found evidence to directly link the Delhi-based businessman to the case of the missing ore.
He was arrested on August 26 and interrogated before being remanded in judicial custody.
The CBI, which is yet to file a charge sheet in the matter, urged the court not to grant bail to Mr. Jain on the grounds that he might tamper with the evidence or abscond.
Four others in custody
The four others in judicial custody in connection with this case are the former Assistant Conservator of Forests at Ankola Narendra Hitalamakki, the former Range Forest Officer G.C. Naik, the former Belekeri Port Officer Captain C. Swami and proprietor of Shri Lal Mahal Ltd. Rajkumar.
