Gali In CBI Custody

The Central Bureau Of Investigation Special Court on Tuesday sent former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy to CBI custody for 7 days.

The court has also permitted the CBI to take Obulapuram Mining Corporation Managing Director B V Srinivas Reddy under its custody for further questioning till 19 September.

The Special Court had, earlier, heard the bail petitions of both the accused, as well as the CBI's plea asking for custody of Gali and Srinivas Reddy for further questioning. After hearing arguments from both the sides, Special Court Judge B Naga Maruthi Sharma rejected the bail pleas and sentenced the accused to a 7-day CBI custody.

Following the Special Court's orders, the CBI team reached Chanchalguda Central Prison and took Gali Janardhan Reddy and Srinivas Reddy into its custody. Both were later taken to the CBI's office at Kendriya Sadan at Koti.

Earlier, Additional Solicitor general Vivek K Tankha appeared on behalf of the CBI and strongly argued for the CBI custody, stating that the CBI has clear evidence to prove illegal mining took place from the time OMC secured the lease.

However, Gali Janardhan Reddy's counsel Uday Lalit wondered how the authorities failed to intercept a single truck when 29 lakh tonnes of ore was allegedly mined in other areas.

Earlier, seeking 15 days custody of both the accused, the CBI's counsel argued that their custodial interrogation was crucial as they had personal knowledge of illegal mining of iron ore in mining areas across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Besides, they could also provide information on their nexus with the government officials, he stated.

Talking to media persons outside the court, CBI joint director V V Laxminarayana said that the probing agency would try to extract crucial information related to the case. He appealed to the electronic media not to depute their video-cameras outside the CBI's office, as, he said, it would hamper the investigation.

"We will keep you updated about all the developments in the case," he said.

Laxminarayana said that the CBI would conduct brain mapping and polygraph test of the accused, if required, and if the court grants permission.

Sources say that the CBI might question Gali about his financial transactions, bank accounts in foreign banks and the involvement of officials in his mining operations. The CBI has reportedly prepared separate questionnaires for Gali and Srinivas Reddy.

The CBI had originally registered the case against Gali's Obulapuram Mining Company on 7 December 2009 at the request of the Andhra Pradesh government, in the wake of allegations of illegal mining and irregularities in allotment of mining leases to OMC in Obulapuram and Malpanagudi villages of Anantapur district of the state. (INN)