Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Sep 12 (IANS) A special court reserved till Tuesday its order on the bail petitions of former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy and his brother-in-law Srinivasa Reddy, arrested in an illegal mining case in Andhra Pradesh.

After hearing the arguments of both sides till late in the evening on the bail pleas as well as on Central Bureau of Investigation’s petition for the custody of the accused, the special court for CBI cases posted its order for Tuesday.

In an unusual move, Judge Naga Murthy Sharma heard the adjournments till 6 p.m. but the announcement of posting the orders for Tuesday were made only at 9 p.m.

A battery of defence lawyers headed by senior Supreme Court advocate Udai Lalit sought bail for the accused on the ground that the CBI case against them was politically motivated, malafide and vindictive.

The defence lawyers including C.V. Nagesh argued that the CBI can’t investigate illegal mining as the same is linked to boundary dispute in the mining areas of Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) and others and the matter is before the Supreme Court.

Additional Solicitor General Vivek Kanka, however, said there was a lot CBI wants to investigate by interrogating the accused. He voiced apprehension that if released on bail, the accused might tamper with the evidence and alleged that they already intimidated witnesses in the case.

Terming the illegal mining as a huge scam spread over Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Kanka said it would not have taken place without connivance of the public servants.

“The CBI wants to find out the role played by public servants in granting permits for mining and transportation of iron ore and laying of roads in forest areas,” he said.

The CBI arrested Janardhana Reddy and OMC managing director Srinivasa Reddy after raiding their houses last Monday in Karnataka’s Bellary.

The same day they were brought to Hyderabad and the CBI court remanded them to judicial custody till Sep 19. They are currently lodged at the Chanchalguda Central Jail here.