A private granite quarry operator surrendered before the Madurai district police here on Thursday in connection with a criminal case registered against him in Keelavalvu police station.
According to police, a lookout circular was issued against 12 individuals, including Palanichamy of PRP Granites, who were wanted in connection with the alleged irregularities in granite quarrying.
A few days ago, when Mr. Palanichamy surrendered before the police, he was taken into custody and examined by a team of investigators.
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Later, he was produced before a judicial magistrate the following day who directed the accused for remand in judicial custody till August 31.
Meanwhile, Paneer Mohammed (43), son of Chellakannu Rowther of Bharathiarpuram Melur, near here, against whom a case had been registered with Keelavalavu police, surrendered before the ADSP (Crime) A. Myil Vaganan and submitted a statement.
He was accompanied by a team of lawyers.
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“A team of investigators would examine the industrialist,” police added.
15 cases
Sources said that so far about 15 cases have been registered against several granite quarry operators/licence holders/directors/partners/staffs of granite firms in different police stations after the revenue authorities lodged individual complaints alleging irregularities which include illegal mining, encroachment and theft of government property.
As many as 18 teams were formed to check 175 granite quarries in Keelavalavu, Keelaiyur, Therkutheru and other locations in the district 20 days ago.
Discreet scanning of the operations and physical verification of the quarries led to a hunt against erring operators.