The Lokayukta had asked for Biswajeet Mishra, Deputy Forest Officer, (DCF), Wildlife Division, Chamarajnagar; TS Ranawat, Interim DCF, Dharwad; Vipin Singh, DCF, Bidar; and R Udaya Kumar, DCF (State Forest Service), Water Rejuvenation, Dharwad as the investigation officers.
The team will be headed by Dr UV Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests, who had earlier led a probe into illegal mining. Gokul, Karwar DCF, will also be part of the team.
According to sources in the Lokayukta, a probe by the police is inevitable in detecting the source of the illegal transport of iron ore. In this connection, the Lokayukta plans to form a team of four unscrupulous police officers. A proposal in this regard would be sent to the Government in a day or two.
Amid all these developments, Chief Secretary SV Ranganath and ISN Prasad, Secretary to the Chief Minister, met the Lokayukta and discussed the steps to be taken before the probe is initiated.
Appointment of officers to the investigation team, providing security to the investigating officers came up for discussion. The Chief Secretary provided information about the Government Order banning the transport of iron ore from the ports to the Lokayukta.
DH News Service