Former minister Joaquim Alemao, mine owner Anil Salgaocar booked for illegal mining

PANAJI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Goa Police has filed a case against former Congress minister Joaquim Alemao and mining magnet Anil Salgaocar for their alleged involvement in illegal mining in the state.

A criminal case was registered against Alemao and Salgaocar yesterday following a complaint filed against them by Director, Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya.

The duo was booked under various relevant sections of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and Forest Conservation Act, 1980.

Acharya had accused a mining firm of carrying out illegal mining and ore extraction in a leased area located in Sanguem Taluka. Salgaonkar is a director in the mining firm, while Alemao is a raising contractor.

The company did not have all the requisite permissions to carry out the mining activity and ore extraction, a senior SIT official said.

Other officials associated with the company have also been charged with the alleged offence.

Both the accused will soon be summoned for questioning, the official added.