Hegde refuses to endorse CM's clean chit to Reddys

“Chief Minister might have given a clean chit to Bellary Reddys. But I don’t issue certificates to anyone prior to investigation. I will give my judgement only after a thorough probe,” Hegde told press persons here on Monday.

He was reacting to the statement of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa that Reddys were not into illegal mining.

The Lokayukta said he has the authority to investigate into mining within the state’s boundaries.

Task force

But he has to seek assistance of Central agencies to investigate into export of ore through ports in neighbouring states.

He said he would hold a meeting of the officers who had already been investigating illegal mining and constitute a task force of police officers for inquiry.