Janardhana Reddy Sent to 14 Days Judicial Custody
Hyderabad, Sep 5 (IANS): A special court in Hyderabad Monday sent former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy and Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) director B. Srinivas Reddy to judicial custody for 14 days in an illegal mining case.
The two, who were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) early Monday at Bellary in Karnataka, were produced before a CBI court at the Nampally Criminal Court complex.
After hearing arguments for one-and-half hours, the judge sent the accused to judicial remand till Sep 19. They are likely to be shifted to Chanchalguda Central Jail.
Janardhana Reddy's chopper which was seized by the CBI (file pic)
Reddy in Hyderabad
Janardhana Reddy arrested from his residence in Bellary (second car)
Reddy's Bangalore Residence
CBI Joint Director Laxminarayana
The court adjourned to Sep 7 the hearing on the CBI's petition seeking the custody of the accused for 15 days.
Earlier, the CBI shifted the accused from Bellary to Hyderabad amid tight security.
CBI Joint Director V.V. Lakshminarayana, who led a team of officers who arrested the accused in Bellary, told reporters that they were held on the basis of evidence gathered by the agency.
"We will interrogate and collect more evidence," he said, when asked if the CBI would arrest more accused.
The arrests were made in connection with a case registered by the CBI against OMC in 2009 for illegal mining in the forest area of Andhra Pradesh bordering Karnataka.
The powerful Janardhana Reddy, Srinivas Reddy and others were booked under penal provisions for criminal conspiracy, cheating and under various sections of mining and forests acts.
Reddy Arrest: CBI Recovers 30 Kg Gold, Rs 3 Crore in Cash
Daijiworld Media Network
Bellary, Sep 5: The CBI is said to have recovered 30 kg gold and Rs 3 crore cash from Janardhan Reddy's Bellary residence 'Kutira Nivasa', according to the latest reports.
CBI sources also said that about Rs 1.5 crore cash has been recovered from Srinivas Reddy's residence in Bellary.
The CBI also confiscated Reddy's private chopper 'Rukmini', besides laptop and other valuables, it is learnt.
Janardhan Reddy and Srinivas Reddy were brought to Hyderabad at 1.45 pm on Monday September 5 after the CBI arrested them in connection to the investigations into the illegal mining scam.
The special CBI team which escorted the duo was led by joint director V V Lakshminarayana. Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, he said that the two have been booked under Sections 120 B, 420, 379, 411, 427 and 447 of the Indian Penal Code, and also under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Forests Protection Act and the Mines and Minerals Act.
Srinivas Reddy
Reddy supporters protest
Both the Reddys will be produced before the court on the same evening. The CBI is likely to seek a two-week custody to interrogate them, sources said.
Meanwhile, the central leadership of the BJP reacted cautiously to the arrest of former Karnataka minister, Janardhan Reddy, by Central Bureau of Investigation last night, in connection with the illegal ore export. It expressed confidence that the mining baron, who has been accused of involvement with mining scam, will come out clean. At the same time, it added that the matter relates to Reddy’s personal business, and not to the party.
Dhananjay Kumar, Karnataka government’s special representative in the country’s capital, said, "Reddys have claimed that they have done nothing wrong, nor have they violated any rules or regulations relating to mining. We are confident that they will come out clean," Kumar said, relating to the arrest of Reddy. Commenting about the arrest, Kumar said that it is a process of investigation.
"Mere arrest cannot be conclusive evidence of guilt. Central Bureau of Investigation has the right to arrest any one if it doubts about their involvement with illegal activities. The agency is merely acting on the orders of Andhra Pradesh High Court," he clarified.
In the meanwhile, Congress leader from Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, expressed happiness about the arrest. He said that his party had always been demanding for CBI investigation into the mining activities of Reddys. Close associate of Reddy Brothers, Sriramulu, who branded CBI as ‘Chor Bazar Institution’ and ‘Congress Bureau of Investigation’ lambasted the agency for carrying out orders of the Congress.
"This is an action of revenge which can be compared to the action against Andhra Pradesh MP and son of former AP Chief Minister, Jaganmohan Reddy. Congress is angry that Janardhan Reddy was instrumental in bringing BJP to power in the state, to the detriment of that party. I condemn the arrest, which was made all of a sudden, without even serving any notice or warrant in advance," he said. Fans of Janardhan Reddy organized a protest at S P Circle in Bellary today, condemning the arrest of their leader. They burnt tyres, raised slogans and burnt an effigy.
In all likelihood, the Reddys will move their bail application immediately after being produced in the court today afternoon.
Former Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice N Santosh Hegde, said that the BJP government had not given permission to Central Bureau of Investigation to probe illegal mining activities. He said that his report submitted to the government also contained allegations that Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Janardhan Reddy, had been conducting illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh.
In the meanwhile, residences of Reddys at Bangalore have been raided, it is learnt. As two rooms of the houses were found locked, the agency availed of services of technicians adept at opening locks by making duplicate keys, it is gathered.
Reddy’s arrest has come as a jolt for the BJP, which received a blow after Sriramulu quit his post yesterday. It also is sure to shake the confidence of former Chief Ministers, B S Yeddyurappa, and H D Kumaraswamy, both of whom have been charged with mining irregularities in the Lokayukta report.
Bellary: CBI Conducts Raids, Former Minister Janardhana Reddy Arrested
Daijiworld Media Network - Bellary
Bellary, Sep 5: In a surprise midnight raid by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday September 5, led by Joint Director Laxminarayana along with a team of 15 officials, former Karnataka tourism minister B Janardhana Reddy has been reportedly arrested in connection with the Obalapuram Mining Corportation (OMC) scam.
Reddy was arrested at his residence Kutira in Bellary.
Simultaneous raid was also conducted at the residence of Srinivas Reddy, managing director of OMC, owned by Janardhana Reddy.
It is learnt that police have found several files related to OMC company which was in the news for mining scams.
It may be recalled that Janardhana Reddy was also named in the Karnataka Lokayukta report, which created a furore in state politics and forced B S Yeddyurappa to resign from the his CM post followed by the resignation of Reddy's close associate Sriramulu from the Assembly.
Latest news coming in has confirmed the arrest of both Reddy and Srinivas.
An enquiry had been ordered by former Andhra Pradesh CM Rossaiah into the illegal mining scam, and this arrest is not related to the Karnataka illegal mining or Lokayukta report, it is learnt.
Both Janardhan Reddy and Srinivas Reddy have been taken to Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh for interrogation.