Lokayukta team visits Bellary

The panel also toured the disputed inter-state border mining areas which led to quite a stir. The lokayukta had received complaints that the Obalapuram mining firm, jointly owned by Ministers G Karunakar Reddy, G Janardhan Reddy and B Sriramulu, was allegedly carrying out mining operations in areas banned by the High Court. The incidence assumes significance as it came at a time when the Reddy brothers are revolting against the Chief Minister.

According to sources, the team, led by Chief Conservator of Forests Dr U V Singh, was sent for the verification. For security reasons, the visit was kept confidential and even no government department in Bellary district had any prior information. The team returned to Bangalore after collecting necessary facts. Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde's own bodyguards were deployed to give special security to Dr Singh after obtaining DG & IGP Ajai Kumar Singh's permission.

Kallol Biswas, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Anantpur, had alleged that the firm had illegally constructed a road in the border areas for its use.