Venkatagiri court sends former YSRCP minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy to judicial remand in illegal quartz mining case
TIRUPATI: The local court at Venkatagiri in Tirupati district sent former YSRCP minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy to 14 days of judicial remand in connection with illegal quartz mining and other cases on Monday.
It may be recalled that Kakani was arrested by the police near Bengaluru in Karnataka on Sunday and shifted to Nellore, where he was housed at the police training college for the night. He was produced before the local court at Venkatagiri on Monday amidst tight security. Police enforced Section 144 as a precautionary measure to contain the law and order situation following the arrest of the former YSRCP minister.
Following the Venkatagiri court's order, police shifted Kakani to the Nellore central jail on Monday afternoon.
Kakani Govardhan Reddy, who served as the state agriculture minister in YS Jaganmohan Reddy's govt, was allegedly involved in large-scale illegal quartz mining activities in the Sarvepalli assembly constituency and other parts of the district during the YSRCP regime. This was exposed by former minister and TDP politburo member Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy.
While no enquiry was ordered or action taken into the illegal quartz mining allegations, trouble started for Kakani after he was defeated by his political adversary Somireddy at the Sarvepalli assembly constituency in the 2024 general elections, which also brought about a regime change in the state.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Once the TDP-led NDA govt came to power in the state, the mines and geology department conducted an enquiry. It was established that about 61,313 metric tons of quartz, worth approximately Rs. 8 crore including penalties, was illegally extracted and transported through Rustom mines, which had alleged links to the former YSRCP minister.
After the mines and geology department lodged a formal police complaint at the Podalakur police station, a series of arrests began in the illegal quartz mining case.
About two months ago, when the Podalakur police tried to summon Kakani for questioning by serving him notices, he remained untraceable for the police, prompting them to issue lookout notices to the former YSRCP minister to prevent him from leaving the country.
During the two months when he remained elusive, Kakani approached the High Court and the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail, but his pleas were turned down by both courts.
The special teams constituted to trace and arrest the former YSRCP minister finally tracked him to a farmhouse near Bengaluru. They took him into custody on Sunday, and he was subsequently sent to 14 days of judicial remand by the local court at Venkatagiri on Monday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Bring sponsors, perpetrators & financiers of terror to justice'
NEW DELHI: The 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue saw the two sides stressing that perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice, while also unequivocally condemning the Pahalgam attack. In a joint statement, they underlined the need to strengthen UN-led global counterterrorism cooperation and fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions, Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and FATF standards. External affairs minister S Jaishankar and his counterparts from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan called on PM Narendra Modi after the Dialogue that saw focus on issues related to connectivity, trade, investment and counterterrorism. "India deeply cherishes its historical ties with the countries of Central Asia. Look forward to working together to further deepen our cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, fintech, food security and health for mutual progress and prosperity,"Modi said in a post on X, adding both sides stood firm and resolute in their collective fight against terrorism. A joint statement said that the ministers unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Frivolous applications: RPSC filed criminal cases against 14 candidates
1 2 Ajmer: The Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) Friday said that it has filed a criminal complaint against 14 candidates between Nov 2024 and Jan 2025 for filing frivolous applications for the post of assistant professor in Sanskrit college education exam. The commission filed the complaints at the additional chief magistrate of Ajmer under Section 217 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Jaswant Garasiya of Banswara is a Bachelor of Arts (BA), but he filed an application for the assistant director (Science and IT department) exam 2024, even though the essential qualification for this exam was a first-class degree in natural and agricultural science or a first-class Master's degree in engineering or technology, or a first-class MSc or MTech with a graduate degree in science and engineering, along with two years of specialised experience in IT and science technology organisation. Garasiya also filed an application for assistant testing officer and junior chemist exam of the RPSC. RPSC secretary Ramniwas Mehta said, "I spoke to the candidate on phone regarding the filing of the application, and he admitted that he is a BA pass, but he could not answer why he filed such applications." RPSC warned such candidates that if it is found that the candidate filed an application without the essential qualification and experience, then he will be barred from other exams. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 보증금 없는 신차장기렌트, 2년 타보고 결정하세요 전국최저가렌트리스센터 더 알아보기 Undo of the commission. The IT department prepared a special software with AI to detect such applications that do not have the essential qualification or experience. Mehta said, "Therefore, we have given a chance to such candidates to withdraw their applications by June 9 in 10 different types of exams which RPSC is going to conduct." Mehta said, "Another candidate I spoke to was Khalendra Prasad of Sambhar Lake of Jaipur, who is a Bachelor of Engineering and filed an application for assistant testing officer for which the essential qualification was MSc in geology or MSc in chemistry with two years of experience in testing of soil aggregates." Mehta said that the RPSC also warned that if a candidate provides forged documents or wrong information about the essential qualification or experience, then an FIR will be filed against him as RPSC has already filed FIRs in such matters. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
UP CM adviser holds talks with Goswami community over Banke Bihari Corridor
Agra: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's adviser Awanish Kumar Awasthi on Friday, chaired a meeting at the tourist facilitation centre in Vrindavan, to discuss issues related to the proposed Banke Bihari Corridor with members of the Goswami community involved in the management of the temple, local shopkeepers and residents. Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Awasthi said the proposed project aims to enhance facilities for pilgrims, and efficiently manage the increasing pilgrim footfall in the Mathura-Vrindavan area. "The number of pilgrims visiting the area is rising exponentially. Today's meeting focused on how to effectively cater to this surge while ensuring public confidence and participation in the planning process. This was the first round of discussions, and it was very productive," he said. On concerns raised by the Goswami community regarding the project, Awasthi said several suggestions had been put forth during the meeting. "The district magistrate and other officials will carefully evaluate these inputs. The state govt aims to proceed with the most inclusive and best possible option to take the project forward," Awasthi said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Established in 1862 in the heart of Vrindavan, the Shri Banke Bihari temple is administered by Shebaits — a hereditary priesthood responsible for daily rituals and temple management. It remains one of North India's most visited pilgrimage sites. The Supreme Court's May 15 verdict came amid ongoing protests by members of the Goswami community and local residents, who have opposed both the corridor project and the formation of Banke Bihari Temple Trust. The court's decision, delivered by a bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, cleared the way for the govt to move ahead with its Rs 500 crore redevelopment plan, which includes acquiring nearly five acres of land near the shrine, using temple funds. Calls for redevelopment intensified after a stampede-like incident during Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, left two dead. In Sept 2023, the Allahabad high court directed the state govt to implement a corridor plan for improved crowd management and safety. While officials claim stakeholders were consulted, Shebaits and local residents have alleged they were excluded from the planning process. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
