New Delhi, Nov 16 (IANS): The CBI on Monday opposed in the Supreme Court the bail plea of mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy in an illegal mining case.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Madhavi Divan, representing the Centre, submitted before a bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and R Subhash Reddy that Reddy should not be let out on bail since case witnesses under police protection have been threatened and even vehicles set afire.

She insisted that Reddy should not be allowed in Bellary, as he holds considerable influence and might interfere with the case investigation. "In all, 47 witnesses are there. We don't know what will happen if this gentleman is allowed to enter the area," Divan said.

The court asked the ASG to file a detailed affidavit in the matter. "The ASG appearing for the CBI prays for and is allowed two weeks to file additional affidavit. Rejoinder, if any, be filed within a week thereafter. List thereafter."

The Supreme Court in August had allowed Reddy to visit Bellary for two days to attend to the cremation of the mother of his close associate.

The Andhra Pradesh government's counsel submitted before the top court that the stay on trial in the case should be vacated.

The state argued that one after the other, the co-accused approach courts and get stay in the matter and therefore it was difficult to conduct the trial.

The counsel for Reddy argued that there were multiple accused and he could not be blamed when others go to court.

The CBI arrested Reddy and his brother-in-law BV Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director of the Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC) in September 2011. They were moved to Hyderabad after the arrest from Bellary.

A court had restrained Gali Reddy from visiting Bellary in addition to Ananthapur and Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh.

The case registered against the Reddys pertains to alleged changes in mining lease boundary and engaging in illegal mining in Bellary reserve forest area spread over Bellary and Anantapur.