Latest news with #ObulapuramMiningCompany
India Gazette
11-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Telangana HC grants bail, stays conviction of G Janardhan Reddy in Obulapuram mining case
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 11 (ANI): The Telangana High Court on Wednesday granted bail and stayed the conviction and sentence awarded to Karnataka's former minister and current MLA, Gali Janardhan Reddy, in the high-profile Obulapuram illegal mining case. While talking to ANI, one of his lawyers confirmed that this order effectively halts his disqualification, allowing him to retain his seat in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Along with Reddy, the court also granted bail to co-accused VD Rajagopal (Accused No. 3), Ali Khan (A-7), and BV Srinivasa Reddy (A-1). Obulapuram Mining Company's (A-4) conviction has also been stayed. The bail for all accused has been granted on the condition of furnishing a personal bond of Rs 10 lakh along with two sureties of Rs 10 lakh each. Additionally, the court has directed the accused to surrender their passports. The order was pronounced in response to pleas seeking bail and a stay on conviction pending appeal, with the court noting that the grounds presented justified interim relief. Gali Janardhan Reddy was represented by senior advocate S Nagamuthu, along with advocates Mayank Jain and Vimal Varma Vasireddy. On May 6, 2025, the CBI Special Court (Trial Court) in Hyderabad delivered its verdict in the criminal case involving allegations that Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) engaged in illegal mining activities beyond the areas leased to it by the erstwhile United Andhra Pradesh government. The judgment came 16 years after the FIR was originally registered. The court found Gali Janardhan Reddy and three others guilty and sentenced each to seven years of imprisonment. Following their conviction, all four individuals approached the High Court to challenge the verdict. (ANI)
New Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana HC grants bail to Gali Janardhan Reddy, others in Obulapuram mining case
HYDERABAD: In a significant relief to Gali Janardhan Reddy and other accused in the high-profile Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) case, the Telangana High Court on Wednesday granted bail and suspended the sentences imposed by the CBI Special Court. Justice K. Lakshman, hearing the batch of criminal appeals filed on 19 May, 2025, during the Vacation Court, ordered bail for Gali Janardhan Reddy, MLA and Director of OMC and Accused No.2 in the case. Reddy was directed to furnish a personal bond of Rs 10 lakh with two sureties to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. The High Court also suspended the conviction order dated 6 May, 2025, which had sentenced him to seven years of imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000. As part of the bail conditions, the court directed that Gali Janardhan Reddy must not leave the country without prior permission of the court and must refrain from engaging in any criminal activities. Similar bail relief was granted to other accused in the case:
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana High Court suspends ex-Karnataka minister Janardhan Reddy's sentence in OMC case, grants bail
The Telangana High Court has suspended the conviction and seven-year sentence of former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy and three others in the Obulapuram Mining Company illegal mining case. Bail was granted to all convicts, each required to furnish a bond of Rs 10 lakh and obtain prior permission before leaving the country. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Telangana High Court on Wednesday suspended the conviction and sentence awarded to former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal iron ore mining case and granted him High Court also allowed the bail applications of three others who were convicted along with Reddy in the case.A special CBI court here on May 6 convicted Gali Janardhan Reddy and three others, including his brother-in-law and Managing Director of OMC, B V Srinivas Reddy, the then Director of Mines and Geology (Andhra Pradesh government) VD Rajagopal and Janardhan Reddy's assistant Mehafuz Ali Khan in the case and sentenced them to seven years' rigorous former minister and others had approached the High Court seeking suspension of the sentence and to grant them court, while suspending their sentences, granted them bail on execution of personal bond of Rs 10 lakh each with two sureties each for a like were directed not to leave the country without the prior permission of the CBI had registered the case on December 8, 2009 against the central agency, in its charge sheets against Janardhan Reddy and others, accused them of tampering with mining lease boundary markings and carrying out mining illegally in the Bellary Reserve Forest area on the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border."It was alleged that the accused in criminal conspiracy with each other committed offences of illegal mining of iron ore by criminally trespassing into the government lands and lands of other private persons and thus causing a loss of more than Rs 800 crore to the government," the CBI had earlier said.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy shifted to Bengaluru central prison
Former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, once a dominant figure in the state's political and mining sectors, has been transferred to the Bengaluru Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara following his conviction in the high-profile Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining case, reported The Times of India. Also Read - 'Kannada born from Tamil': Kamal Haasan's comment in Bengaluru event backfires, BJP demands apology According to the report, Reddy was brought to Bengaluru from Chanchalguda Central Prison in Telangana, where he had been lodged along with three other convicts since May 6, after a special CBI court in Hyderabad sentenced him to seven years in prison. The transfer was ordered so that he could be produced before the special court in connection with another related illegal mining case. This secondary case pertains to the illegal export of iron ore from Belekeri port in Karwar in 2010, which is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency has named around 10 individuals, including Reddy, as accused. With hearings scheduled for June 2 and later, the court directed officials to ensure Reddy is available for future proceedings by keeping him in judicial custody in Bengaluru. Also Read - Pro-Kannada groups warn boycott of Kamal Haasan film ahead of Thug Life release, demand apology The Hyderabad court that convicted Reddy also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on him and his three co-accused. The Obulapuram Mining Company, central to the scam, was slapped with a penalty of ₹1 lakh. Reddy, listed as Accused No. 2, was immediately taken into custody following the verdict. The case, which has dragged on for nearly 14 years, revealed large-scale manipulation of mining lease boundaries and unauthorized mining operations in the Bellary Reserve Forest, straddling the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border. Investigators estimate the scam led to a loss of around ₹884 crore to the public exchequer.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Steps underway to recover losses from Janardhana Reddy
Ballari: Independent efforts are in progress to file a petition with the govt, seeking to initiate another legal stage for recovering state losses incurred due to unlawful mining operations by and Obulapuram Mining Company ( ). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After a 13-year court process, a special CBI court in Hyderabad on May 7 imposed seven-year prison sentences on Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy and three others for . Tapal brothers and some organisations are preparing separate legal proceedings, with additional environmental activists expected to support the initiative. The recent establishes that OMC, while operating in 68.5 hectares at Antharagangamma Konda, Malapanagudi village, Rayadurg taluk, Anantapur district, damaged the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh boundary. Records indicate 28.9 lakh tonnes of iron ore were unlawfully extracted and transported through the Ballari reserve forest. The Karnataka area possessed premium-grade ore, which Janardhana Reddy extracted and transported illegally. Based on a conservative estimate of Rs 3,000 per tonne, the value of 28.9 lakh tonnes of ore is at least Rs 867 crore. "Janardhana Reddy was found guilty, and the sentence was delivered. The verdict serves as our foundation. Reddy acquired assets both within the state and internationally through unlawful mining activities. All of this should be classified as 'proceeds of crime' and must be seized. The govt ought to have acted on this matter, yet no action has been taken," said Srishail Aladahalli, an environmental activist from Sandur. Tapal Ekambaram, a mining entrepreneur fighting a legal case against Janardhana Reddy, has shared a comparable viewpoint, remarking, "The court has taken into account that Reddy pilfered and transported the wealth of the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The govt ought to reclaim compensation for the state's wealth that was plundered by Reddy. We plan to write to the chief secretary of the govt to demand our share of the ore that was taken from our mine. Our struggle in this matter will carry on." The Mines and Minerals (Development and Control) Act, Section 21(5), permits recovery of value, rent, royalty or tax from individuals who extract and dispose of minerals without legal authority from any land during their period of encroachment.
