Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe Karnataka mining barons G Jnarandhana Reddya and his brothers’ mining activities at Bellary and Obulapuram in Andhra Pradesh.
The apex court also asked the central probe agency to file a status report on its probe against Obulapuram Mining Company owned by the Reddys.
The apex court ruling holds significance as Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda today said that his government would abide by the Supreme Court decision on the recommendation of Central Empowered Committee to extend CBI probe into illegal mining
in the state.
"I will abide by the Supreme Court decision," he told reporters when asked about CEC`s recommendation to the court yesterday for a CBI probe into illegal mining in Karnataka.
Gowda had earlier rejected demands for a CBI probe citing the Lokayukta investigation into the illegal mining in the state.
Under the apex court ruling, the CBI is investigating into illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh.
Former Karnataka minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy and his brother-in-law Srinivasa Reddy have been arrested by the CBI in this connection.
The SC-appointed CEC has extensively inspected mining areas in parts of Karnataka earlier and opined that illegal mining had taken place in the state.
Gowda in reply to a question said those facing allegations of any sort cannot be inducted into the ministry, obviously referring to the Reddy brothers and mining magnates.
