The Reddy brothers have expressed hope that courts will do them justice on the allegations of illegal mining levelled against them in Karnataka. G Janardhana Reddy, Karnataka Tourism Minister and one of the Reddy brothers, hailing from Bellary — the area of their influence, claimed that the brothers have no mining business in the state and their operations were in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. “Justice will be done some day, if not today. The investigating bodies like the CBI cannot find any mistakes so far against us. Finally, we are waiting for the orders,” Reddy said.
The case will be heard by the SC from Monday, he said. Reddy has vowed not to do any business in the state in future and has exited the Bramhani Industries’ Karnataka unit by selling his entire stake to the promoters of Uttam Galva Steels for Rs 285 crore.
He also refuted all allegations of illegal mining against the brothers, saying these are entirely politically-motivated as they do not have had any mining activities in Karnataka.
“These are allegations against us. It’s because I come from Bellary. I am the district in-charge and therein lies the problem as huge mining activities are happening there. We are being targeted politically,” Reddy said.
The SC-appointed Central Empowered Committee recently reported “colossal” illegal mining in Karnataka, particularly in Bellary district, with “active” connivance of officials of the departments concerned and also public representatives. Though chief minister B S Yeddyurappa defended the Reddy brothers saying “they have no role in it”, Governor H R Bhardwaj hit out at the government for its “failure” to act against G Karunakara and G Janardhana Reddy.
Claiming innocence in the entire controversy, Reddy said they did not own a single iron ore mine in Karnataka and nor do they intend to have any in future. He further said the allegations were levelled against him in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh because of his proximity to the late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and his son Jagan Mohan Reddy.
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“We never had any business relationship with Jagan or the YSR family. I knew YSR since my childhood when he was not a Chief Minister. This is totally politically-motivated. After YSR’s death, all of this started, when K Rosaiah became CM because they thought I have got some understanding with Jagan Mohan Reddy. That’s the only reason,” Reddy said.
Asked about the report of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee, the minister said, “The CEC has recommended for imposition of penalties on other mines. But for us, they said cancelled the mining leases for the same reasons.
“SC said very clearly to them in a one line order that whether the Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC) is operating in forest area or not? After a Supreme Court order, the Survey of India conducted surveys in our mining areas in Andhra and they said we are operating in a deficit area.”