Bebi Betta illegal mining case: Forest Vigilance Squad begins probe

Mandya: There seems to be more trouble for Mandya MP C.S. Puttaraju as the Government has ordered a probe into the alleged illegal stone quarrying in Mandya district. Based on a complaint lodged by RTI activist Kallahalli Ravindra alleging that rampant illegal stone quarrying was going on in Bebi Betta, Chinnakurali and Honaganahalli forest area, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) has directed the Forest Vigilance Squad to probe the matter. In his order, the APCCF has asked the Department squad to complete the probe and submit a report within 15 days. Meanwhile, Mandya JD(S) MP C.S. Puttaraju who is at the centre of controversy in the alleged illegal mining case, reacting to the Forest Department’s probe, said that the move was a political one as the Congress Government had specifically targeted him. Dismissing the allegations of illegal quarrying, Puttaraju said that the Government had targeted him after Chamundeshwari JD(S) MLA G.T. Devegowda. He said that he was not afraid by such tactics of the Congress Government and added that he was prepared to face any probe.