A judicial magistrate first class court at Valpoi sentenced Mr Rajaram Giri Naik from Upper Bazaar, Ponda, to one year imprisonment and directed him to pay a fine of 100,000 for illegal extraction of iron ore at Ambeli in Sattari.

The prosecution alleged that Naik illegally extracted iron ore and transported it without permission.

Mr Hector Fernandes, senior technical assistant of directorate of mines, alleged that 10,500 tonnes of +60% Fe and 33,249 tonnes of sub-grade mineral ore valued at approximately INR 4,93,36,683 was taken out from the mines.

Health minister Mr Vishwajit Rane in February 2010 had sought action in the illegal mining case.

(Sourced from TOI)