Chairman of Srilakshmi Narasimha Mining Company K Sasikumar on Thursday alleged that former managing director of AP Mining Development Corporation V D Rajagopal had played a key role in handing out the 506 hectares of mining area allocated to him on a platter.
Claiming that he was a victim of mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, Sasikumar said that Gali used illegal means to acquire the mines originally allocated to him. He also condemned Rajagopal's statement that he had done nothing wrong in allocating 506 acres of mining area to Gali Janardhan Reddy.
Calling Rajagopal a 'liar', Sasikumar drew a rough diagram on a piece of paper depicting, the mine that was illegally dug out by Gali's henchmen with the collusion of AP government officials.
He said he was ready to depose in front of the CBI against Gali and Rajagopal in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, CBI Additional Superintendent Of Police R M Khan told the media that all the 5 accused, including Rajagopal, former mines secretary Y Sri Lakshmi, Special Secretary (Forests) K D R Jayakumar and Gali Janardhan Reddy's elder brother G Karunakar Reddy, were issued notices in connection with the illegal mining case.
He said that the agency was yet to take a decision on arresting the 3 officers whose houses were raided on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Gali Janardhan Reddy's younger brother Somasekhar Reddy was grilled by CBI sleuths at Dilkusha Guest House on Thursday morning, and another brother Karunakar Reddy has been summoned on Friday for questioning.
The CBI has continued raids on trading firms and transport organizations that played a role in exporting the illegal iron ore of the OMC to ports on the AP coast.
The agency also searched the premises of Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd. in Somajiguda, the promoter of the Krishnapatnam Port, Nellore, through which a major chunk of Gali's ore left the Indian shore. (INN)