Mining SIT files charge sheet against Janardhana Reddy

In another jolt to former minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy, Special Investigation Team(SIT), probing illegal mining in the state, has filed the first charge sheet against him in an illegal mining case. The SIT chargesheet also names K Mehfooz Ali Khan and B V Srinivasa Reddy.

The case pertains to the forceful acquisition of a mining lease of one N Shaikh Sab in Ballari district and extracting iron ore in excess, transportation and sale without a valid permit.

The charge sheet stated that Ali Khan and Srinivasa Reddy were the managing partners of Devi Enterprises and Sri Minerals respectively.

Both Ali Khan and Srinivasa Reddy were formerly employees of Brahmani Industries Ltd, while Srinivasa Reddy was also one of the partners in Obulapuram Mining Company, both owned by Janardhana Reddy.

SIT sources said that Ali Khan and Srinivasa Reddy used to force owners of several mining leases to enter into an instrument of partnership and also the power of attorney to run the business. Similarly, the duo entered into Shaikh Sab mines, located in Ballari district, and started illegal extraction of mines.

Thus, around 1.69 lakh MT of iron ore was extracted from Shaikh Sab mines. Later, illegally mined iron ore was transported and dumped at a private property in Papinayakanahalli.

The duo then sold the illegal iron ore to various exporters and caused a loss of Rs 23.89 lakh. “Ali Khan entered into the instrument of partnership with a huge share of profit, while Srinivasa Reddy got the raising contractor.

“Both these acts are in violation of mining rules. The accused have been charged under IPC sections 379, 420, 120 (b) and rule 165 of the Karnataka Forest Rules,’’ an official said.