Uliburu mining scam: Charges framed against 8 accused including Deepak Gupta

Keonjhar: The Special Vigilance Court today framed charges against eight accused including Deepak Gupta, mines owner BK Mohanty and former Deputy Director of Mines (DDM) of Joda Circle Manas Ranjan Mohanty in the Uliburu mining scam case.

The charges were framed under Sections 13/2, 420, 409, 468, 379 and 120 (B) of IPC against the eight accused.

It may be mentioned that Deepak had been arrested by State Vigilance sleuths on September 4, 2013 for his alleged involvement in the Rs 1,800-crore mining scam at Uliburu in Keonjhar. Chargesheet had been filed against 29 persons out of whom nine persons, including the family members of Deepak had managed to obtain advance bail from the Orissa High Court.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the money trail in the scam, had also attached property worth Rs 379 crore owned by Deepak in May 2015.

Deepak was the power of attorney of an iron ore mine, lease of which was with BK Mohanty. He illegally extracted iron ores beyond the permissible limit prescribed by the government and gained around Rs 1,400 crore causing a huge loss to the State exchequer.