JVM chief Babulal Marandi has written a letter to the CM Raghubar Das accusing the Advocate General (AG) of Jharkhand of misleading the Jharkhand High Court Court in connection with payment of Rs 250 crore penalty imposed on Shah Brothers by the Chaibasa Deputy commissioner.
He added the Chaibasa DC in July 2018 had imposed a penalty of Rs 250 crores on the company for extracting more iron ore than provided by environment approval letter. The company was to pay the amount with an interest of 24 per cent.
The Shah Brothers filed a writ petition against the order in the Jharkhand High Court but it was rejected.
The lease holder challenged the decision before the division bench of the HC. Meanwhile, mines department filed an affidavit terming its decision to impose the penalty as correct.
Marandi said that during the hearing of the case on October 1 the AG stated that the leaseholder and the government have signed an agreement, in which the company would pay the penalty in installments. He said that after the payment of the first installment of Rs 40 crores the Government would issue transport permit, which was terminated.
Marandi said that based on AG’s statements the court issued an order for payment of first installment by October 11, 2018 and the entire amount by September 2020. The court also ordered the government to issue the transport permit after payment of first installment.
Marandi said that the mining department officials, however, have no knowledge of such agreement between the State government and the Shah Brothers. He also pointed out that extension of Shah Brother’s lease over Karampada mines was granted in 2017 on the condition that it would repay the damages in one time.
Alleging that the AG told lies, Marandi said that it was a serious issue and attracted a case of misconduct of court.
He alleged that the episode shows that there was conspiracy between the State Government and the Shah Brothers on the issue. He also questioned whether government can take such one- sided decision in favour of company.
Manrandi has demanded that high-level inquiry by retired justice should be conducted and the AG be removed from the office.
Meanwhile the AG has denied Marandi’s allegations saying the latter was not well informed about case.