A special investigation team (SIT) of Goa police probing illegal mining cases has on Wednesday summoned Bhalchandra Naik, a mining lessee who runs Dahej Minerals to seek confirmation from him over his recent public allegations that his buyer of ore had paid Rs.6 crore to Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane's son Vishwajit (MLA) in early 2007.
Mr. Pratapsinh Rane was then Chief Minister of the State. Dy. Inspector General of Police K. K. Vyas told The Hindu on Wednesday that SIT had taken a suo motu cognisance of the allegations of bribery and initiated a preliminary inquiry. A probe has also been initiated into the allegation that Mr. Rane >demanded Rs 10 crore for facilitating an environment clearance from the Centre to start mining operations in Poriem constituency.
Mr. Rane told The Hindu that the allegation was baseless and frivolous that he did not even know the person.
Mr. Rane also said that he was consulting his lawyers over slapping defamation charges against Mr. Naik. He also wondered why the complainant had kept quiet for nearly seven years.
A senior official in the SIT said, "Every body connected in the case will be called by us, and the stage at which they will be called will be decided by us.” But declined to say whether and when Rane duo will be called in connection with the investigations.
