CBI on Friday told a special court here that custodial interrogation of former Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy and MD of Obulapuram Mining Corporation B V Srinivas Reddy was crucial in illegal mining case as they had ‘personal knowledge’ of such activities.
CBI's Deputy Legal Adviser B Ravindranath told the court that both the accused were the only persons having personal knowledge of illegal mining.
The prosecution alleged OMC was indulging in illegal mining ore extraction from several locations, including Karnataka, and exporting it to China, Singapore and Malaysia.
"Mining and extraction of 29.30 lakh tonnes of iron-ore was done in several areas other than the leased area of 68.5 hectares held by OMC as the mineral ore in Antargangamma Konda mines, owned by OMC, was not of commercial quality," he said.
"The custodial interrogation of the accused will bring out the names of the public servants with whom they conspired to get the lease of 68.5 hectares of land in Obulapuram and the extent of bribe given to carry out illegal mining," CBI counsel said, adding Janardhan Reddy was an influential person, and fearing him, nobody was coming forward to give information to CBI.
The hearing will continue on September 12. The investigating agency has sought a 15-day custody of the duo.