Supreme Court extends stay on Reddy brothers mining operations

New Delhi, April 12 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday extended the stay on the Reddy brothers mining operations in Andhra Pradesh.

The apex court also directed the Survey of India (SoI) officials to investigate the allegations of encroachment in two mines owned by the Reddys, and submit a report by April 22.

Earlier, an SoI panel had given its nod to the Reddys68.5-hectare iron ore mine, asserting that there was no major encroachment. The panel said that of the 68.5 hectares, only 66 hectares are supposed to be used for mining.

The remaining 2.5 hectares are for roads, but all 68.5 hectares are being used for mining, added the panel probing the allegations against the Reddys.

The apex court had on March 22 suspended the Reddy brothers' mining operations in Andhra Pradesh and ordered a survey team to examine the allegations and submit an interim report within two weeks.

The apex court had asked the survey team to monitor the six mines on the Andhra-Karnataka border - three of which belong to the Reddys - to check whether or not they encroach on forestland.

Tumti Iron Ore owner Tapal Ganesh had filed a police complaint in 2006 alleging that Reddy brothers were encroaching on his mine and later filed a petition in the Supreme Court in 2009. (ANI)