Bellary DCF gets contempt notice over mining

BANGALORE: Karnataka High Court on Wednesday held that Bellary Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) N Devraj had deliberately violated the court’s order by not conducting a survey he had been asked to conduct.The division bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice H G Ramesh said the court was satisfied that the DCF had intentionally overlooked the court’s order.A contempt notice was issued and he was asked to file his reply within seven days.The case was adjourned to June 27.The DCF had filed an affidavit, stating the reasons for the delay in conducting the survey and sought more time. In the affidavit, he has stated that Indian Bureau of Mines, Survey of India and local officials, including tehsildar, had not responded favourably to his and his predecessor’s request to conduct the survey jointly.The court had directed Bellary DCF to carry out a joint survey along with Indian Bureau of Mines and Director General of Survey of India. He had to do survey of the mining area given to A M Minerals and demarcate its boundaries and buffer zone. The court had given the order on July 15, 2009, and granted six months to finish the survey.The DCF had on December 3, 2009, sought more time to carry out the survey and it was granted. This year too, on March 18, the court approved the DCF’s request for eight weeks but even then the survey has not been conducted.