The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has zeroed in on 45 mining companies who were allegedly involved in the theft of iron ore from the Belikeri port.

Yesterday, Deputy Superintendent of Police BS Muddu Mahadevaiah submitted a preliminary report on this case with the 1st judicial magistrate of Ankola, seeking more time for a detailed report.

Continuing with their investigations, CID investigators arrested Belikeri port officer Mahesh Belia and sent him for a two-day custody for further interrogations. Beliya had facilitated some companies to steal the seized iron ore and export it.


The senior port officer had allegedly helped employees of various mining companies steal seized iron ore worth nearly Rs 65 crore.

According to reports, there are many mining companies that are involved in the scam and need to be probed in detail. This will include taking the owners and representatives into custody, investigators said.

On March 20, 2010, the assistant conservator of ports, NG Hittalamakki seized five tonnes of illegal iron ore worth around Rs 150 crore, which several companies had been trying to export. He then handed over the seized material to port conservator Mahesh Belia.

However, Hittalamakki inspected the seized material again on June 2 and found that two tonnes of ore were missing. He filed a complaint with a judicial magistrate on June 8, seeking orders for a detailed enquiry.

Based on a court directive, the CID took up the investigation and found that Belia had colluded with some companies and helped them steal the ore and export it, causing loss to the state exchequer to the tune of several crores.