Mining scam: Reddys to remain in jail

Hyderabad, Oct 3: A special CBI court here today (Oct 3) extended till October 17 the judicial custody of former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy and managing director of Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) Srinivas Reddy, in an illegal mining case.

They were arrested by the agency last month regarding alleged illegal mining activities. CBI counsel T V Ramana said the agency is set to approach the Andhra Pradesh High Court to seek further custody of the accused.

"We will file a petition in the High Court, once the court holidays are over," Ramana said.

Dismissing Reddy's bail plea on Saturday, the court had also turned down the CBI request seeking custody of the accused.

The CBI, probing allegations of illegal mining and irregularities in the allotment of leases to OMC, arrested Janardhana and Srinivas, on September 5 from Bellary in Karnataka.

The accused took part in the court proceedings through video-conferencing after Chanchalguda prison authorities informed it about a shortage of security personnel.

PTI