Latest news with #GaliJanardhanReddy
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Mining scam case: BJP leader Gali Janardhan Reddy's plea 'bizarre attempt' to use electorate as shield, CBI tells HC
HYDERABAD: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has strongly opposed the plea filed by Gali Janardhan Reddy, MLA and accused no. 2 in the high-profile Obulapuram Mining Case, seeking suspension of his conviction. In a detailed counter filed before the High Court, the CBI urged dismissal of the criminal appeal and accompanying interlocutory application, arguing that Reddy had failed to establish any exceptional grounds warranting such relief. Reddy was convicted by the trial court under Sections 120-B read with Sections 409 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years, with all sentences running concurrently. The trial court had categorically held that the prosecution had proved the charges eyond reasonable doubt, backed by substantial evidence, including witness testimonies and documentary records. The CBI emphasised that Reddy is also facing trial in several similar criminal cases in the state of Karnataka. The agency further pointed out that in his present plea, Reddy had not cited a single mitigating factor to support his case for suspension of conviction. Notably, the appeal merely contains a one-line statement alleging harm if the conviction is not stayed - without any supporting affidavit or specific details. 'In the absence of demonstrated exceptional circumstances, the case does not qualify for suspension of conviction,' the CBI submitted.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy faces disqualification after conviction in mining case
BENGALURU: Mining baron and BJP MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy may lose his legislative assembly membership in view of his conviction in the illegal mining case by a CBI court in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The state assembly is expected to issue a formal order in this regard once it gets a certified copy of the conviction order. The CBI court convicted Reddy in the OMC mining case. As per Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act, sitting MPs or MLAs convicted in any case and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years will be disqualified from the House from the date of conviction. The disqualification will continue for further six years after his release. Government sources said that action can be initiated against the MLA once the certified copy of the court order is received by the House. 'Since he (Reddy) is a member of the legislative assembly, a formal order has to be issued. We will issue the order only when we get the certified copy from the court. Once we issue the formal order, it will be applicable from the date of the judgment,'' the sources said. Though there was a provision in the RP Act, which allowed convicted legislators to continue as members of the House if they appealed before the court within three months, the Supreme Court in 2013 declared it as unconstitutional, they said. The sources, however, said that if Reddy goes to court and gets bail before the assembly gets the certified copy of the conviction order, he may not be disqualified. Assembly Speaker UT Khader is abroad and is expected to return to Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Amid Op Sindhoor strikes, Bengaluru to conduct city-wide mock drill. Check timings and location
Amid heightened security following India's retaliatory strikes across the border, Bengaluru is all set to witness a large-scale civil defence mock drill as part of Operation Abhyas, a nationwide preparedness exercise ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday. Mock drill to be conducted in Bengaluru today. (Pic for representation)(PTI) Also Read - Karnataka MLA and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy sentenced to 7 years in Obulapuram illegal mining scam The mock drill was held at 3:30 PM at the Civil Defence Headquarters in Ulsoor, with coordinated activity across multiple police stations and fire stations in the city. Bengaluru is among 244 districts across India identified as vulnerable, and has been categorised under Category II Civil Defence Towns by the Ministry of Defence based on a vulnerability assessment. What the drill simulated The drill aimed to prepare civilians and emergency responders for a range of hostile attack scenarios. Simulations included: Incoming air raid response with phased siren activation and enforced blackout measures Building fire emergencies Search and rescue operations Casualty evacuation from hazardous zones Setting up of temporary hospitals Evacuation of civilians to demilitarized safety bunkers Sirens were activated city-wide, sounding in three distinct alarm tones, each indicating different stages of a threat. These tones served to educate both the public and civil defence personnel on how to respond during a real emergency. Bengaluru has a 5,000-strong Civil Defence force, and all personnel were mobilised as part of today's exercise. Officials confirmed that drills were carried out at strategic locations, including Ulsoor, major police stations, fire stations, and traffic-sensitive areas. The aim was to simulate real-time coordination between departments during potential air or terror strikes. Also Read - Mock drills in Karnataka: Three locations in the state to train civilians tomorrow. Full details The timing of the drill comes on the heels of 'Operation Sindhoor', India's overnight military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. In the early hours of May 7, India reportedly struck nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which intelligence agencies said were being used to support cross-border terrorism. Sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the Operation Abhyas mock drills were part of a broader national contingency and readiness plan, ensuring that civil defence mechanisms are robust in the event of escalation or retaliation. The Bengaluru exercise was overseen by Prashant Kumar Thakur, Director General of Civil Defence and Home Guards, in coordination with the district administration and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Officials said more such drills will be conducted in coming days in other Karnataka cities like Raichur, Karwar, Mysuru, and Mandya, which also fall under vulnerability categories.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- New Indian Express
CBI court convicts former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, several others in Obulapuram mining case
HYDERABAD: In a significant development, the CBI Special Court, Nampally, has pronounced its verdict in the high-profile Obulapuram illegal mining case. The court found several key accused guilty while acquitting a few others. On May 6, the court delivered the verdict that accused persons, including Karnataka Former Minister, mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy, OMC company former Managing Director BV Srinivasa Reddy, former director of Mines Andhra Pradesh VD Rajagopal, and Personal Assistant to Gali Janardhan Reddy Mehfuz Ali Khan found guilty in the illegal mining case. They have been convicted and sentenced for 7 years imprisonment along with Rs. 1 lakh fine for each.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka MLA and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy sentenced to 7 years in Obulapuram illegal mining scam
In a major setback to mining baron and former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, a special CBI court in Hyderabad on Tuesday sentenced him to seven years in prison for his role in the infamous Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining scam. The court also imposed a fine of ₹ 10,000 on Reddy and three co-accused, while the company was fined ₹ 1 lakh. Mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy. (Arun Kumar Rao) Also Read - 'If you want to be a power hitter…': RCB's Tim David impressed by BBMP's open-air gyms, compares them to Singapore Reddy, once a powerful figure in Karnataka's political and mining circles, was taken into custody by the CBI immediately after the verdict. He was listed as Accused No. 2 in the case, which has been under trial for nearly 14 years. The conviction marks a dramatic fall for the former minister, who was known for his influence in the resource-rich Ballari region and close ties to the ruling class during the late 2000s. The court found Reddy and others guilty of manipulating mining lease boundaries and conducting illegal mining operations in the Bellary Reserve Forest area on the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border between 2007 and 2009. According to the prosecution, the illegal activity caused a staggering ₹ 884 crore loss to the public exchequer. Who are the other convicts? Also convicted were Reddy's brother-in-law and OMC Managing Director B Srinivas Reddy (A1), former Mines and Geology official VD Rajagopal (A3), and Reddy's personal assistant Mehafuz Ali Khan (A7). The judgment was delivered by T Raghu Ram, Principal Special Judge for CBI cases. In contrast, the court acquitted former Andhra minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and retired bureaucrat B Krupanandam, citing lack of evidence. Senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, initially named in the case, had earlier been discharged by the Telangana High Court in 2022. Also Read - Credai Bengaluru president advocates for Mumbai-style redevelopment to tackle land challenges Reddy's name first surfaced in the case when the CBI filed its initial charge sheet in December 2011, followed by three supplementary chargesheets over the years. The mining scandal, which rocked both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, was seen as symbolic of the unchecked rise of politically connected businessmen in India's resource sectors. CBI Public Prosecutor Inderjeet Santoshi and Assistant Public Prosecutor Vishnu Majji represented the investigating agency, which argued that the case was not just about mining violations but a calculated abuse of power and public trust.
