Ahmedabad, 15 June 2013

Gujarat minister Babubhai Bokhiria and former Congress MP Bharatbhai Odedara have been convicted (section 379 and 447)in an illegal mining case and sentenced to three years imprisonment with two others – Bhima Dula and his son Laxman Odedara by Chief Judicial Magistrate of Porbandar Shri P.V.Pandya. Bokhiria and others got conditional bail for seven days to file appeal. Bokhiria told media persons that he would challenge the lower court order in higher court. He said he will take decision on whether to resign or not as per the party order.

Bokhiria is only cabinet minister from Saurashtra region at present. He defeated Gujarat Congress President Arjun Modhwadia in assembly polls last year with a huge margin of votes. He holds the portfolio of Minister for Water resources(exept Kalpsar), Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cow protection in the government.

Bokhiria was first arrested in connection with the case in November, 2007.

Babu Bokhiria, Bhima Dula Odedara, Bharat Odedara and Laxman Bhima Odedra are convicted for committing theft of limestone worth of Rs54.19 crore from mines belonging to Saurashtra Chemicals Limited. The company’s assistant manager, Umesh Bhavsar, had lodged a complaint before the Bagvadar police station against them on October 5, 2006. According to the complaint, Bokhiria and three other men occupied the mines and dug up limestone which was subsequently sold to industries.

Congress seeks resign

Meanwhile Gujarat Congress has demanded resignation Bokhiria. Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad, leader of opposition Shankersinh Vaghela said that the ministers in the state government are corrupt and criminals. He said one minister was behind bars (referring to Amit Shah) under Section 302 of the IPC and another (Parshottam Solanki) is facing corruption charges in a fisheries scam. He said if Bokhiria does not resign, we will start a movement. Another Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said when allegations are made against any minister of UPA government, BJP stalls Parliament, does not allow it to function and demands resignation of minister on moral grounds.Bokhiria was chargesheeted before last year’s Assembly elections. But still he was given the ticket and after his victory, he was given a Cabinet berth.