Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Jan 5: The Supreme Court on Monday January 4, extended its interim order dated December 17, banning Obabalpuram Mining Company owned by Reddy brothers, from undertaking mining or transporting of iron ore from its mines located in Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh bordering Karnataka, till further orders.

After the Andhra Pradesh government wanted the case of illegal mining against the company being heard in Andhra Pradesh High Court, to be shifted to Supreme Court, the Supreme Court had taken up the case and issued an interim order of stay. The bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice B S Chavan, extended the ban further.

The special forest bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan also issued notices to the central government and Karnataka, with regard to a suit filed against them, seeking an action taken report on the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, which had stated that illegal mining was being conducted in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, in violation of rules and regulations.

The bench also asked Andhra Pradesh government to give its feedback on the subject within six months.

The SC issued notices, after accepting a public interest petition filed by a NGO named Samaj Parivartan Samudaya. The petitioner has alleged that the Lokayukta report had indicted mining companies on Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh border, of encroaching upon the reserve forests and undertaking mining activities there.