[1]The CBI special court on Friday granted conditional bail to mining baron and former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy in the Obulapuram mining scam. Meanwhile, the court rejected bail to former mines secretary Y. Srilakshmi, accused in the same case.
However, Mr Janardhan Reddy, lodged in Bengaluru jail, will not be set free since he faces charges in another mining case in Karnataka.
This was Mr Janardhan Reddy’s fifth bail petition, with the CBI court having rejected all four applications earlier.
First additional special judge T. Pattabhi Rama Rao granted bail to the former minister on condition of two sureties and personal bond of Rs 5 lakh each. He should surrender his passport and not leave the country, and should stay in Bellary, the court ruled.
Asking him to attend other cases in Bengaluru, the court also directed Mr Janardhan Reddy against interfering in investigation of the other illegal mining case or influencing witnesses. The CBI may appeal to HC seeking cancellation of the bail.
The court, meanwhile, rejected bail plea of Ms Srilakshmi, accused of favouring Mr Janardhan Reddy’s company OMC, in obtaining mining leases over other eligible bidders. She is now lodged in the Chanchalguda women’s jail here.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/srilakshmi-ias1jpgcropdisplay0jpgcropdisplayjpg-004