Janardhana Reddy completes 1 year in jail

Mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy who dictated terms in state BJP and controlled the politics of Bellary district completes a year in jail on September 5.

Last year Reddy was arrested by the CBI officials from his residence in Bellary on the same day in connection with the charges of illegal mining by his firm - Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC) in the neighbouring state Andhra Pradesh. He was lodged in the Chanchalaguda jail in Hyderabad and then shifted to Bangalore jail with the Supreme Court ordering an inquiry against his another firm Associated Mining Company that operated in Karnataka.

However, despite being behind the bars, Reddy was hit the headlines recently for cash- for-bail scam.

The deal saw Reddy’s younger brother G Somashekhar Reddy behind bars along with their trusted man and Kampli MLA Suresh Babu on charges of facilitating the cash-forbail deal.

The sword of suspicion is also hanging on B Sriramulu, the most trusted man of Reddy.

Sriramulu has already been interrogated by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) of Hyderabad in connection with the scam. This apart, Reddy continues to haunt several politicians.

Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj is one among them. Though, she has distanced herself completely from them after serious allegations of illegal mining started cropping up fingers are still being raised at her. With the Bellary district politics is already slipping from their grip, J Shantha, the younger sister of Sriramulu is facing the threat of losing her Parliament membership as the Supreme Court has ordered the recounting of votes.

On its part the state BJP appears to be relieved by the downfall of Reddy brothers who made it dance to their tunes. With most of the Reddy clan caught in the legal problems, the state BJP wants to start afresh in the border district by identifying fresh faces.

“It is with this reason, Anand Singh a Reddy follower-turned-foe has been made minister,” said a BJP senior leader.