The Special CBI Court on Tuesday granted the "Special Prisoner" status to former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy and his brother-in-law B V Srinivas Reddy, who are currently lodged in the Chanchalguda Central Prison in the Obulapuram Mining Company illegal mining case.
Gali's counsel Uma Maheswara Rao requested the court to give Janardhan Reddy and Srinivas Reddy the status of "special prisoners" considering their social status.
He also produced documents showing the grounds on which disgraced Satyam Computers founder B Ramalinga Raju was granted a similar status.
However, the CBI's counsel objected, contending that the duo did not deserve such a status.
After hearing arguments from both the sides, the Special CBI Court permitted the allotment of a special room for Gali Janardhan Reddy and Srinivas Reddy as per the AP Prison Act, Section 730. The court said they should be shifted to special independent A category rooms, and that they must be treated as "special prisoners".
Under the special category, they are eligible for a bed, a fan, mosquito nets, magazines and newspapers. They are also eligible for a special diet as well as non-vegetarian food.
Meanwhile, the special court also adjourned the hearing of both their bail petitions and CBI custody, to 18 November. (INN)
filed in:Gali Janardhan Reddy, Gali Brothers, Chanchalguda Jail, Mining Scam