Jindal, BSY in CBI chargesheet on mining scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and his family members for allegedly not recovering from JSW Steel a sum of R890 crore due to the government, in return for monetary benefits. In its charge sheet filed before a special CBI court, the agency named as accused Yeddyurappa, sons BY Vijayendra and BY Raghavendra, son-in-law RN Sohan Kumar and JSW Steel represented by Sajjan Jindal, CEO Vinod Nowal and senior vice-president Vikas Sharma, among others.

The CBI probe was ordered by the Supreme Court in May following the Central Empowered Committee's report on mining irregularities in Karnataka. The investigating agency has also charged the JSW group with making these payments to enforce a ban on iron ore exports in the state.

JSW Steel said in a statement: "As the copy of the chargesheet has not been served on any of the officers of the company, it is premature to offer comments."

Stating it co-operated with investigating authorities and provided all details in connection with the alleged transactions, the company added: "The conclusions drawn by the authorities leading to the charge sheet are without basis."

A CBI officer said: "In our investigation, we have found that Yeddyurappa, the then CM, abused his official position to provide undue gains to JSW Steel and its subsidiary companies in Bellary. A piece of land owned by his relatives was sold to the steel company by him at an exorbitant price which is said to be illegal gratification from the company for undue favours." He added: "JSW Steel and its group companies caused a loss of Rs 890 crore to the state PSU by over exploiting its resources. Yeddyurappa, the then CM, received an illegal gratification of Rs 20 crore as a donation made to the trust run by his son as a quid pro quo for not insisting on the recovery of Rs 890 crore from the company," the officer said.

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