Click to play videoBellary: There was a silent cheer as the CBI conducted raids on the offices of the Bellary brothers-owned Obalapuram Mining Company last week. Other miners in the area allege the Reddys, who are part of the ruling BJP in Karnataka, are misusing state machinery to encroach on other mines. It has been alleged that the Reddys are even redrawing borders between Karnataka and Andhra.
“The state government can't put any pressure on the CBI, so we believe the truth will finally come out,” Executive Director of MSPL Meda Venkatesh said.
In 2008, a Lokayukta report had highlighted 69 instances of illegal iron ore mining, issue of illegal transport licenses, mining in restricted areas and trespassing of the border between Karnataka and Andhra.
CNN-IBN has access to a report submitted by the Central Empowerment Committee which clearly indicts the Reddy brothers for encroaching on mineral-rich areas outside their mining leases. But many allege the state government has so far turned a blind eye.
“It is up to the state government to ensure prevention of illegal mining because they have the police and forest officials and the impetus is on them to stop illegal mining,” Regional Controller of Mines AB Panigrahi said.
But the Reddy brothers say they are victims of a political conspiracy hatched by the Congress, Teleugu Desam Party and the Janata Dal Secular.
“I am a victim of political conspiracy and we have done nothing wrong. All our business operations are legal,” Tourism Minister of Karnataka Janardhan Reddy said.
But with the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying the CBI probe for the time being, it looks like the Reddy brothers have finally got some reprieve.
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