Bellary: CBI raids Reddy’s offices

Mangalore Today

Bellary, December 11: Equipped with a search warrant, more than 50 CBI and various department officials in six teams swooped down on the offices of OMC and the other mining companies, conducting simultaneous raids there. The CBI took over the case from the Andhra Pradesh police recently.

The rapid raids were conducted soon after the CBI registered a case for taking up mining beyond the designated area, theft of iron ore, cheating, criminal trespass “and dishonestly receiving stolen property.”

The case has been registered under IPC sections 120-B, 420, 379, 411, 427, 447, Section 13 (2) read with Section 13(1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption, 1988, Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, Section 21 read with Section 4 (1) and 4 (1)(A), and Section 23 of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulations) Act, 1957 against the private firms, unknown public servants and others.

The sections relate to offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, theft, criminal trespass, dishonestly receiving stolen property, mischief and offences under Indian Forest Act, 1927, Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulations) Act, 1957 with the object of unauthorised mining, transportation and sale and export of iron ore.

The OMC office in Rajeshwari Nagar, Ennoble India office on K C road and OMC mines in Obulapuram, owned by Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy, G Karunakara Reddy and B Sriramulu were among the places raided.

Reacting to the raids, Janardhana Reddy said he would extend complete  cooperation to the CBI. Speaking to reporters at the helipad, he said he heard about the arrival of CBI officials and rushed to Bellary.

He recalled he had cooperated with the income tax officials during raids on his house two years ago. While maintaining that OMC had neither carried out illegal mining nor encroached upon border areas, he refused to comment further as the matter was pending in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Reddy alleged the CBI raid was a Congress ploy, claiming that he and his brothers would emerge victorious.

Deccan Herald