BENGALURU: G Janardhana Reddy and five others have been convicted in the Obulapuram mining case and have been sentenced to seven years in prison by a CBI special court in Delhi. This verdict is a significant blow to Reddy, a BJP MLA from Gangavathi constituency in Koppal district, as he is likely to lose his Assembly membership. However, he is expected to appeal against the decision.
The court found Reddy guilty of illegal iron ore mining in the Obulapuram hills near the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border during the BS Yediyurappa government. The case revolves around the activities of the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), where Reddy and Srinivas Reddy played key roles. The company was accused of obtaining mining permits through illegal means, extracting and transporting more ore than allowed.
Allegations suggest that the company stole 2.9 million tons of ore, generating revenue of Rs 884 crore. Reddy, Srinivas Reddy, and Ali Khan have each been sentenced to seven years in prison. This legal battle has spanned nearly 14 years, highlighting the seriousness of the charges and the impact of illegal mining activities on the region.
