ORDER :

1. We have heard learned counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation on whose behalf of this interlocutory application has been filed and we issue the following directions:-

(a) The CBI is permitted to register criminal case against those exporters who were enquired into in the preliminary enquiry and who had exported iron ore of more than 50,000 MT without valid permits and as recommended by the Central Empowered Committee in its report dated 5th September, 2012.

(b) The CBI is permitted to refer the matter with respect to the exporters who had exported less than 50,000 MT and were not enquired into in the preliminary enquiry, to the Government of Karnataka for taking further necessary action under the relevant laws, as recommended by the Central Empowered Committee in its Report dated 5th September, 2012.

(c) We also permit the Central Bureau of Investigation to refer to the Government of Karnataka for taking further action under relevant laws with regard to those exporters who were enquired into in the preliminary enquiry and who had exported less than 50,000 MT of iron ore without valid permits as recommended by the Central Empowered Committee in its Report dated 5th Se