Telangana HC Dismisses IAS Srilakshmi's Petition

The Telangana High Court today dismissed senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi's discharge petition in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) case.

She had filed the revision petition seeking acquittal in the high-profile case.

The court, after hearing arguments from the CBI and the defense, ruled that Srilakshmi could not be discharged and had to face trial.

The court added that she remained an accused in the case, and that the proceedings would continue in the CBI court.

The OMC mining lease case dates back to 2006, when Srilakshmi was serving as Secretary of the Industries Department. The CBI alleged that she had abused her official position in granting mining leases to OMC, violating rules and procedures. The CBI court concurred with the CBI's arguments.

In 2022, the Telangana High Court had discharged Srilakshmi from the case. However, the CBI challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court, stating that the High Court's decision was passed without considering the respondents' arguments. The Supreme Court then set aside the earlier order and directed the High Court to re-hear the matter and deliver a verdict within three months.

During today's hearing, the CBI's counsel argued that Srilakshmi had played a key role in facilitating the lease to OMC despite several competing applications, and that there was substantial evidence supporting this claim.

After considering the submissions from both sides, the High Court concluded that Srilakshmi had misused her authority and committed irregularities in the lease allocation process. Accordingly, it dismissed her discharge petition, allowing the trial to proceed in the CBI court.