SC asks CBI to file status report in illegal mining probe

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to apprise it of the progress of ongoing probe into the case of illegal mining in Bellary-Hospet region allegedly by Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) and others.

A three-judge green bench presided over by Justice A K Patnaik directed the probe agency to file the latest status report within two weeks.

The court’s order came after advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing NGO Samaj Parivartan Samudaya (SPS), submitted that the CBI should have by now completed its probe.

He said the CBI had filed its last status report in November, 2011.

The CBI has so far submitted two status reports in sealed covers. The first one on September 30, 2011 regarding its investigation in respect of Obulapuram Mining Co Ltd.

“We have perused the last status report filed by the CBI. No status report filed since November, 2011. The CBI is directed to file the latest report within two weeks,” the court said.

Former Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhana Reddy, his brother-in-law B V Srinivsas Reddy, and the OMC were accused of illegal mining in Bellary-Hospet region covering Bellary district in Karnataka and Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh.

The Associated Mining Company, also owned by the Reddys, is facing a probe by the CBI for similar charges.