Janardhana Reddy files petition seeking quashing of CBI probe

Mining baron and former Karnataka Tourism minister G Janardhana Reddy on Tuesday filed a petition in the High Court seeking quashing of the CBI probe against him in connection with illegal mining activity of the Associated Mining Company, owned by him and his wife.

In his criminal petition, which came up before Justice N Ananda, Reddy also prayed for interim stay on the CBI probe till the plea filed by former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa on the report on illegal mining submitted by former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde is disposed of.

The court adjourned the petition to next week.

Reddy appeared before the CBI Court here on March 2 in connection with the case and was remanded to CBI custody till March 12.

The former minister was brought here from Chanchalaguda prison in Hyderabad where he has been lodged along with his brother-in-law BV Srinivas Reddy since September 5 last after his arrest by CBI in illegal mining case involving Obulapuram Mining Company.

The CBI had last December charge sheeted the Reddys and three others in the OMC case accusing them of doctoring documents and hatching a conspiracy along with some public servants violating mining lease agreements.