Mining scam: Links with Reddys, woman IAS officer arrested

Hyderabad, Nov 29: Another major arrest regarding illegal mining scam took place in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, Nov 29. This time the investigative agency, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a woman IAS officer, Y Srilakshmi over her links with the jailed former Karnataka Minister, Gali Janardhan Reddy.

Srilakshmi, who was the Secretary, Industries and Mining during the YSR regime in Andhra Pradesh, has been accused of favouring the Reddys in allocating mining license in Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) case.

However, the arrest left a place for controversy as the minister, who signed the pact, has been left free while the then secretary has been arrested.

The CBI interrogated the then Home Minister of State, Sabita Indra Reddy, however, let her off after brief questioning.

Meanwhile, senior high court advocate, Alladi Ravi Kumar said, "According to the business rules of the government, a minister is equally responsible for all the orders issued in the name of officials and the irregularities committed by them. Expressing ignorance is no excuse. Since Sabita had signed the file granting mining leases to OMC, she cannot say she did not understand the content. The minister, too, should be booked as she had acted against the law and granted undue favours to Janardhan. She has to be booked under Section 409 of the IPC, which provides for breach of trust."

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