Obulapuram mining case: HC issues notices to Sabitha Reddy, former IAS officer, on CBI plea

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday issued notices to former minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and retired IAS officer B Kripanandam after admitting a petition filed by the CBI challenging their acquittal in the Obulapuram illegal mining case.

The court directed both to file their counters and posted the matter for next month.

CBI moves against acquittal

The CBI petition sought quashing of the May 8 order of the special CBI court that acquitted the two, citinga lack of evidence.

The agency alleged that Sabitha, then Mines Minister, and Kripanandam, then Industries Secretary, were part of a conspiracy that enabled Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) to secure mining leases in Anantapur district.

The CBI claimed the duo’s role facilitated the lease of 885 hectares, which allegedly allowed OMC to illegally extract and transport 20.32 lakh tonnes of ore.

Case background

The mining case, registered 16 years ago, involves illegal mining by OMC in Obulapuram and Antaragangamma Hills of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

In May this year, the CBI special court sentenced BJP MLA from Karnataka Gali Janardhan Reddy, OMC Managing Director BV Srinivas Reddy, former Mines Director D Rajagopal, and Reddy’s aide Ali Khan to seven years’ imprisonment. Sabitha and Kripanandam were, however, acquitted.

Recent court developments

In June, the High Court suspended the sentence of the convicted and granted them conditional bail.

On July 25, it dismissed the plea of IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, who had sought discharge. She continues to remain as Accused No. 6 in the case.

The High Court will hear the matter again next month.