OMC mining scam: CBI team visits Krishnapatnam port

As part of its probe into the alleged illegal mining by Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), owned by mining baron and former Karnataka Minister G Janardhana Reddy, a CBI team today visited the Krishnapatnam port to verify exports of the iron ore mined by the company.

The CBI team, led by Joint Director (Hyderabad Zone) V V Lakshmi Narayana, arrived here and began verification of the records pertaining to iron ore shipments from Krishnapatnam port after interacting with customs and port officials.

Speaking to media Lakshmi Narayana said, "We are seeking to get information about the procedures followed in export of iron ore by OMC. We will examine details of procedures followed in exporting iron ore besides examination of procedural documents."

The senior CBI official said as per their documents majority percentage of iron ore of OMC has been exported from Krishnapatnam Port and they would now collect details on how much percentage of ore was exported.

The CBI is likely to probe whether the OMC sent any iron ore shipments to China and other countries, sources said.

The mining company is accused of changing mining lease boundary markings between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and indulging in "illegal" mining in the Bellary Reserve Forest area spread between Bellary district of Karnataka and Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh.

On September 5, CBI had arrested former Karnataka Tourism Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, and OMC Managing Director B Srinivas Reddy in connection with the alleged mining scam. The duo have been remanded in judicial custody till October 31 and lodged in a jail in Hyderabad.