Cong pushes for CBI probe into illegal mining

“It has now become crystal clear that the Bellary Reddys have been involved in illegal mining and that they have amassed a wealth of Rs 7,500 crore through illegal mining. At least now, the State government should refer the cases to the CBI,” Ugrappa said, while addressing the media on Monday.

He also said that Reddy’s arrest was “not political witch hunting”. “The investigating agency had procured ample prima facie evidence to arrest him and produce him before the court. This has also been clearly spelt in the terms of reference of the December 2009 notification issued by the Centre when the CBI probe was ordered. If Reddy had not been taken into custody then there would have been the risk of the evidences being tampered,” he added.

Kondaiah said that Reddy should own up moral responsibility and resign from his MLC post.

“Apart from illegal mining, the Reddys took over the entire Bellary district, turning it into a ‘Republic of Bellary’. Sriramulu has been lashing out at the CBI. It is like the Satans trying to sermonise,” he added.

No role of Congress

On BJP’s allegations that the Congress was behind Reddy’s arrest, KPCC president G Parameshwara decried that his party had no role to play in this. “It is ridiculous for the BJP to be pointing fingers at the Congress. The CBI initiated its probe against the Reddy’s based on a strong complaint filed in Hyderabad in 2009. Prima facie evidence has been found against the Reddys, and hence the arrest. When such is the case, where is the involvement of Congress?”

He also said that Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, by not acting against the accused in the Lokayukta mining report, was in fact “protecting the accused”.

He added that if the government found his party members V S Lad and V Muniyappa guilty in the mining issue, the party would “expel” both of them immediately.