Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Dec 23 (IANS) A special court posted to Dec 28 its orders on the bail petitions of former Karnataka minister G. Janardhana Reddy and his brother-in-law B.V. Srinivasa Reddy in an illegal mining case.

The special court dealing with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases heard the arguments of both sides on the bail petitions of the accused. This was the fourth time they applied for bail.

Judge Naga Murthy Sarma posted to Dec 28 the orders on the petitions.

The lawyers of the accused told the court that the CBI’s apprehension - that if released on bail they would tamper with the evidence - is baseless.

Accusing the CBI of making contradictory statements, they said the investigating agency is claiming before court that it is an over Rs.5,000 crore scam while in the charge sheet it put the figure at Rs.884 crore.

CBI counsel said the investigations were at a crucial stage and the bail to the accused could hamper the progress of the case.

The court has already rejected thrice the bail petitions of mining baron Janardhana Reddy and Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) managing director Srinivasa Reddy.

The duo, arrested Sep 5, is lodged in Chanchalguda Central Jail here.

The special court also adjourned to Dec 28 the hearing on the CBI petition to cancel the bail given to another accused in the case, Y. Srilakshmi, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.

The judge asked Srilakshmi’s counsel to file the counter to the CBI petition by Dec 26.

Srilakhsmi, who had allegedly played a key role in granting iron ore mining leases to OMC in Anantapur district, was arrested by the CBI Nov 28. The court granted her bail on Dec 2. She is the fourth accused in the case.

The court Dec 15 had granted bail to V.D. Rajagopal, the third accused and former director of mines, but the same day on a CBI petition cancelled his bail.