Rajagopal Bail Petition Dismissed

The CBI Special Court on Tuesday dismissed the bail petition of former Director of Mines and Geology V D Rajagopal, an accused in the Obulapuram Mining Company illegal mining scam.

While refusing the bail application, the Special Court at Nampally, however, accepted his request for granting him 'special class prisoner status' in the Chanchalguda jail.

The Central Bureau of Investigation while opposing his petition had earlier charged Rajagopal with abusing his official position and misinterpreting the Mining and Mineral Acts to help OMC.

The agency also contended that Rajagopal's release on bail at this juncture would hamper the investigation, as he could influence the witnesses and tamper with the evidence against him.

However, Rajagopal's counsel argued that the CBI has not made out any clear case against his client. The counsel said that his client was not involved in any corruption, and had acted as per the law.

After hearing the arguments, the Special Court rejected Rajagopal's bail petition, but directed the authorities concerned to provide him 'special class prisoner status' in the Chanchalguda jail considering his education, status and health condition.

Rajagopal is the third accused in the alleged illegal mining scam. The other accused former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, his brother-in-law and OMC Managing Director B V Srinivasa Reddy, who were arrested in Bellary earlier, are currently lodged in the Chanchalguda jail. IAS officer Y Srilakshmi was arrested just yesterday, becoming the fourth to be arrested in the case. (INN)