The five MLAs whose names figured in the petition were Bhograi MLA Anant Dash, Kantamal MLA Bhagaban Kanhara, Bangriposi MLA Sarojini Hembram, Udayagiri MLA Manoj Pradhan and Loisingha MLA Ramakant Seth. Interestingly, none of the five legislators represent Keonjhar district in the assembly. All the MLAs have denied having ever signed the petition while invetigations by OTV revealed that Anant Dash`s signature has been forged. "The matter needs to be probed," demanded Kantamal MLA, Bhagaban Kanhara.
The petition addressed to the Chief Minister urged Naveen Patnaik to initiate action against Keonjhar-based mining company, the Sarada Mines Private Limited for indulging in illegal practices. The petitioner(s) alleged in that one influential Member of Parliament from the Congress was the real controller of the Sarada Mines Private Limited while the license of the mines remained with the company only in pen and paper. It further alleged that the state exchequer has lost revenue to the tune of about Rs 1,500 in the last 15 years as the company continued to sell
ores under pricing it between Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 per ton.
The five legislators have demanded thorough probe of the incident to identify the person(s) involved in the act of forgery and to unearth the intention behind resorting to such illegal act and abusing the letter pad of the legislative assembly.