Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Keonjhar, Dec 12:

The Special Vigilance Court in Odisha’s Keonjhar today kept its verdict reserved on the bail plea of Deepak Gupta, the prime accused in the much talked about Uliburu mining scam.

Deepak Gupta Deepak Gupta

The court today concluded its hearing on Gupta’s bail plea while keeping its verdict reserved till December 16.

“The Orissa High Court and Supreme Court had rejected Gupta’s earlier bail pleas. This bail plea was filed on December 6 after Vigilance submitted its charge sheet in the case. The court today heard Gupta’s bail petition and has reserved its verdict till December 16,” informed Gupta’s counsel Ashok Das.

The accused in the Rs 1800 crore mining scam was arrested on September 4, 2013.

Deepak Gupta was operating an iron ore mine of B K Mohanty by virtue of a power of attorney. He had illegally mined around 45.22 lakh tonnes of iron ore and manganese beyond the lease area between 2003 and 2010 violating forest and mining laws.

In May last year, the Enforcement Directorate had attached properties worth Rs 484 crore belonging to Gupta and his family members.