Illegal mining case: Ex-Karnataka minister sentenced to 7 yrs jail
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Hyderabad: A CBI special court on Tuesday sentenced former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy and three others to seven years’ imprisonment in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining case. The high-profile verdict marks the conclusion of a 15-year-long legal battle over one of India’s most prominent illegal mining scandals.
Convicted along with Janardhan Reddy are former Director of Mines and Geology V.D. Rajagopal, OMC Managing Director B.V. Srinivasa Reddy, and Janardhan Reddy’s personal assistant Mehfuz Ali. The CBI Principal Special Judge also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on each convict and ₹2 lakh on OMC.
However, the court acquitted then Andhra Pradesh Mines Minister Sabita Indra Reddy—currently a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader—and former IAS officer Kripanandam, citing lack of sufficient evidence to establish their involvement.
The case dates back to 2009 when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched an investigation on the directions of the Central government, following a request from the then Andhra Pradesh government. Janardhan Reddy, a former BJP heavyweight credited with helping the party form its first government in Karnataka in 2008, was arrested by the CBI on September 5, 2011. He was later granted bail.
The CBI filed its first charge sheet in 2011 and followed it up with supplementary charge sheets, naming nine accused, including IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi, who was discharged from the case in 2022. Another key accused, R. Linga Reddy, who was Assistant Director of the Mines Department, died during the trial.
The accused were charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)—including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust), 468 and 471 (forgery)—and under Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The trial, conducted under the Supreme Court’s supervision, concluded last month after the apex court directed its completion by May. Over the course of the 13-year-long proceedings, the court examined more than 3,400 documents and heard testimonies from 219 witnesses.
According to the CBI, during the tenure of then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in united Andhra Pradesh, state authorities showed undue favour to Janardhan Reddy’s OMC by granting mining leases in Obulapuram, Anantapur district, covering 68.5 and 39.5 hectares.
Investigations revealed that Janardhan Reddy’s company illegally extracted iron ore beyond its lease areas, extending operations into forest land in neighbouring Karnataka. The illegal mining operations reportedly caused a loss of ₹884.13 crore to the public exchequer.
The verdict represents a major milestone in India’s crackdown on illegal mining and corruption in public offices.
With IANS Inputs
