Illegal mining: We will cooperate with CBI, says Karnataka CM

A day after the Supreme Court favoured CBI investigation into the illegal mining in Bellary district, Karnataka government today said it would extend cooperation to the investigating agency.

"We are committed to abide by the Supreme Court order. We will go by whatever direction the Supreme Court gives. We will extend all cooperation in this regard", Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda told reporters in Bangalore.

The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had conducted its probe under the legal frame work on illegal mining in parts of the state, he noted.

The apex court yesterday wanted CBI to probe into linkage between illegal mining in Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh and Bellary in Karnataka allegedly involving the Reddy brothers.

The court said the mining of ore by Associated Mining Company (AMC) owned by former Karnataka Minister G Janardhana Reddy and Deccan Mining Syndicate (DMS) was routed through Obulapuram in Andhra Pradesh.

Reddy and his brother-in-law Srinivasa Reddy have already been arrested by CBI and lodged in Chanchalaguda jail in Hyderabad in connection with illegal mining.

A report submitted by Karnataka Lok Ayukta into illegal mining has indicted Janardhana Reddy, his two brothers and their associate former minister B Sreeramulu.