By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 24, 2017: The Orissa High Court on Thursday rejected the bail plea of Uliburu mining scam prime accused Deepak Gupta for fourth time.

Having not succeeded in obtaining bail from the Supreme Court, Gupta had moved the High Court for the fourth time seeking bail.

A single member bench of the High Court comprising of Justice S K Sahu on Tuesday had kept its verdict reserved after completing its hearing on Gupta’s bail plea

Gupta has been accused of illegally mining around 45.22 lakh tonnes of iron ore and manganese beyond the lease area between 2003 and 2010 violating forest and mining laws.

Gupta was arrested on September 4, 2013, in the Rs 1800 crore mining scam. He was operating an iron ore mine of B K Mohanty by virtue of a power of attorney.

In June last, the Special Vigilance Court in Keonjhar framed charges against Gupta and seven others.

The original leaseholder of Uliburu mines B K Mohanty and former Deputy Director of Mines (DDM) Joda mining circle Manas Ranjan Mohanty are among the seven others against whom charges were framed.

They were charged under sections 13/2, 420, 409, 468, 379 and 120(B) of the IPC.

The Vigilance has earlier filed charge sheets against 29 persons in the Uliburu mining scam.