AP challenges stay on CBI probe into Reddys' firm

The mining company is owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister G Janardhan Reddy and his family. A petition was filed before the apex court which would come up for hearing in January 2010 after the winter vacation, according to government advocate T V Ratnam. A division bench of the High Court stayed the probe by the central agency on December 14 on a petition filed by Reddy, said Ratnam.

The company had moved the High Court alleging that the Andhra Pradesh government had ordered the CBI probe into the mining operations carried out by the OMC on political considerations rather than unearthing illegalities. The OMC further alleged that despite its cooperation, the  CBI authorities were giving negative publicity to its mining activities in the state.

“The terms of reference of the CBI are far beyond the scope of inquiry and the CBI probe is resulting in day-to-day interference with their operations,” the OMC petition said.
The Andhra Pradesh government on November 17 ordered a CBI probe following recommendation by a three-member Central Empowered committee of the Supreme Court which found illegality in mining activities.
The matter will come up for mentioning later.