Janardhana Reddy's wife granted bail

The CBI Special Court on Tuesday granted bail to Aruna Lakshmi, wife of former minister G Janardhana Reddy, in an illegal mining case saying she had been co-operating with the investigating agency and that she was also a woman.

Judge B M Angadi said: “Considering that she is a woman and that she has been co-operating (with the investigation), the second accused is being granted bail.” He adjourned the case for further hearing on July 16.

The judge directed her to furnish a bond for Rs one lakh, two sureties for a like sum and also refrain from leaving the jurisdiction of the court.

Lakshmi, the co-owner of the Deccan Mining Syndicate (DMS) and Associated Mining Corporation (AMC), was in judicial custody since her arrest last September. She appeared before the court in compliance with the summons issued on July 2.

Further, the CBI filed objections to the bail applications of Deputy Conservator of Forest Muthaiah and Raju, the other accused in the case.