Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 6: A CBI court on Tuesday sentenced mining baron and former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy to seven years in prison in connection with the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining case. Three others—former mines director V D Rajagopal, OMC MD B V Srinivasa Reddy, and Reddy’s personal assistant Mehfuz Ali—were also convicted and handed the same sentence.

The case, dating back 15 years, involves large-scale illegal iron ore mining in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each convict and Rs 2 lac on OMC.

Meanwhile, former Andhra Pradesh mines minister Sabita Indra Reddy and ex-IAS officer Kripanandam were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

The CBI launched the probe in 2009 on the direction of the Central government, acting on a request from the then Andhra Pradesh administration. Janardhana Reddy was arrested in 2011 and later released on bail. The investigation led to multiple charge sheets, with nine individuals initially named as accused. One, R Linga Reddy, died during the trial, and IAS officer Y Srilakshmi was discharged in 2022.

The Supreme Court-monitored trial concluded recently after 13 years, examining over 3,400 documents and 219 witnesses. The accused were charged under IPC sections related to conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, and forgery, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to the CBI, during the tenure of former Andhra CM Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, OMC was unduly favoured with iron ore leases and went on to illegally mine beyond its allotted area, including forest land in Karnataka. The exchequer reportedly suffered a loss of Rs 884.13 crore.