New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Thursday began a probe into alleged illegal mining activities in the border areas of Andhra Pradesh and raided many offices of a mining company owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister G. Janardhana Reddy, and Bellary Iron Ore Pvt Ltd.
“We have begun investigation into a case related to boundary dispute and illegal mining activities of two private firms and the activities of unknown public servants and others,” a CBI official said here.

“We are conducting searches at the offices of Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC - owned by Reddy) and Bellary Iron Ore Pvt Ltd in Bellary,” the official added.

A Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court in its report recommended to the court that illegal mining be stopped in six mines in Obulapuram and H. Siddapuram villages of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.

Following this, the CBI registered a case against the two private firms, unknown public servants and others for the offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, theft, criminal trespass, dishonestly receiving stolen property and causing mischief.

Various sections of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulations) Act, 1957, were also invoked.

For the investigation, the CBI had constituted a multi-disciplinary team consisting of officers of Survey of India, Bureau of Mines, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Customs & Department of Revenue Intelligence.

The team also consists of forest and other departments of Andhra Pradesh.