Illegal mining: Janardhan Reddy files bail plea

Former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy chargesheeted in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) "scam" again moved a local court seeking bail today, the fourth time since his arrest on September 5.

Janardhan Reddy, who owns the OMC, in his fresh bail plea filed in the special court for CBI cases contended that investigation against him has been completed and a charge sheet filed in the OMC case.

In his bail plea filed through his counsel, Reddy contended that there was no prospect of immediate trial till the prosecution (CBI) obtained sanction to prosecute senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, the fourth accused in the OMC case and that he cannot be detained in judicial custody till such time for no fault of his.

He further submitted that the prosecution case is based on documentary and oral evidence mostly of public servants and there is no scope for tampering with prosecution witnesses.

"There need not be any apprehension that the petitioner (Janardhan Reddy) will flee from justice as he has deep roots in the society as he is a legislator and a former minister," Reddy's counsel submitted.

The CBI, probing illegal mining and irregularities in allotment of leases to OMC, had arrested the Janardhan Reddy and his brother-in-law B V Srinivas Reddy on September 5 from Bellary in Karnataka and the duo are presently in judicial custody and lodged at the Chanchalguda Central Prison here.

Srinivas is also likely to move a fresh bail plea tomorrow.

The CBI had on December 3 filed a chargesheet in the OMC case against Janardhan Reddy and four others.