The Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) director B Rajasekhar in connection with the illegal mining scam.
Rajasekhar, who was arrested in Bellary district in Karnataka, is being brought to Hyderabad. He is likely to be produced before a magistrate on Saturday.
He is the 5th accused to be arrested in the OMC's illegal mining case.
Significantly, the latest arrest is just a couple of days ahead of the CBI filing a charge sheet-in court.
So far, the CBI has arrested former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, his brother-in-law and OMC managing director B V Srinivasa Reddy, former Mines Director V D Rajagopal, and suspended IAS officer Y Srilakshmi. Rajasekhar is Rajagopal's brother-in-law.
According to the CBI, Rajagopal and Srilakshmi showed OMC undue favours by granting it leases for mining iron ore in Anantapur district.
The investigating agency claims to have evidence that OMC mined iron ore in Karnataka and illegally transported it to Anantapur, from where it exported it.
All the 4 accused are currently lodged in Chanchalguda Central Jail in Hyderabad. (INN)