Mining scam: Sabitha, Belineni under CBI's scanner

Following the arrest of Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the multi-crore mining scam, Home Minister P Sabitha Reddy, former Belineni Srinivasulu Reddy and two senior IAS officials are also likely to face the wrath of CBI, reliable sources told INN. Both Sabitha and Belineni held the mines portfolio in YS Rajasekhara Reddy's cabinet.

According to sources, the CBI is enquiring into the details to get to the bottom of the truth. IAS officer Sri Laxmi, who was Secretary of Mines Department and Rajagopal, the then mines development managing director, might have to face CBI interrogations shortly.   The CBI has already interrogated a top IAS officer BP Acharya, who had headed the industries and APIIC departments during YSR's regime. The CBI, sources said, was seeking permissions to prosecute those involved in the said irregularities.

The CBI is understood to have secured evidences in respect of illegal mining, government’s relaxations and a list of those who were benefited due to those changes in the Acts, formed part of CBI probe. Further, exceeding the State boundary limits, changes in revenue limits effected unilaterally by the then Chief Minister YSR and in the process, demolishing a place of worship for iron ore mining was being probed by the CBI. The role of men behind exports of lakhs of tonnes of iron ore overseas is also being deeply probed by the CBI.

All the files related to the Obulapuram Mines have been seized by the CBI to proceed in the quizzing of more public representatives and top brass.