On May 6, 2025, a special CBI court in Hyderabad sentenced former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining case. This verdict concludes a protracted legal battle that spanned nearly 14 years.
Background of the Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated its probe into the OMC illegal mining activities in 2011, alleging that Reddy and his associates manipulated mining lease boundaries and conducted unauthorized mining operations in the Bellary Reserve Forest area, straddling the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border. The illegal activities, carried out between 2007 and 2009, reportedly resulted in a loss of ₹884 crore to the public exchequer.
Court’s Verdict
The Principal Special Judge for CBI cases, T Raghu Ram, convicted Reddy, who was designated as Accused No. 2 (A2), along with:
- B.V. Srinivasa Reddy (A1), Managing Director of OMC and Reddy’s brother-in-law
- V.D. Rajagopal (A3), former Director of Mines
- K. Mehfuz Ali Khan (A7), Reddy’s personal assistant
- Obulapuram Mining Company (A4)
Each individual was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹10,000, while the company was fined ₹1 lakh. Following the judgment, the CBI took Reddy and the other convicted individuals into custody.
Acquittals and Discharges
The court acquitted former Andhra Pradesh Mines Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy (A9) and retired IAS officer B. Krupanandam (A8), citing insufficient evidence against them. Another accused, senior IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi (A6), had been discharged from the case by the Telangana High Court in November 2022. Additionally, Forest Department official Lingareddy (A5) passed away during the course of the trial.
Significance of the Verdict
This judgment marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to combat illegal mining and corruption. The conviction of a high-profile political figure like Gali Janardhan Reddy underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and holding influential individuals accountable for their actions.
The case has had far-reaching political implications, particularly in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, where Reddy wielded considerable influence. His conviction may prompt further scrutiny of mining operations and regulatory practices in the region.
As the legal proceedings conclude, the focus now shifts to the enforcement of the court’s directives and the broader implications for governance and regulatory oversight in India’s mining sector.