SIT arrests Reddy's aide in illegal mining case

The Lokayukta Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing illegal mining in the State, has arrested Madhu Kumar Verma, an associate of former minister Janardhana Reddy, in connection with a case related to illegal export of iron ore.

The Lokayukta special court on Thursday remanded him in judicial custody.
The SIT had recently searched 14 premises in Ballari and Bengaluru belonging to former minister G Janardhana Reddy, his associates and houses and offices of several companies.

The searches were in connection with four FIRs registered based on Lokayukta report on illegal mining (Part-2). A chapter in the Lokayukta report (Part-2) ‘Illegal Extraction, Transport, Export and Domestic Consumption of Iron Ore, in 2009 and 2010 at 40-60 or 50-50 Sharing of Production and Dispatches’ states that associates of Janardhana Reddy took over existing leases through newly registered companies during 2009-2010 and mined, transported and exported illegal iron ore.

Of these, one of the mining sites is Hind Traders. Madhu Kumar Verma was a managing partner of one such front company by name Madhushree Enterprises.

“Madhushree Enterprises took control over Hind Traders mining area in Ballari and carried out illegal mining. Illegally mined iron ore from this lease was transported by the Ballari risk transporters, Swastik Nagaraj and Kharapudi Mahesh. Further investigation is on,” an official said.