CBI searches office of Reddy's wife, JSW Steel

The CBI today searched offices of two companies, including one owned by the wife of arrested mining baron and former minister G Janardhana Reddy, and also the residence of his close associate B Nagendra.

Sources said the 25-member CBI team, led by its Karnataka wing Superintendent of Police Subramanya Rao, conducted searches at the office of Associated Mining Company (AMC) owned by Aruna Lakshmi at Parvathinga and seized some documents. The house of Koodligi MLA B Nagendra was also searched, they said. The Human Resources Department office of Jindal Steel Works was also searched in the backdrop of the company getting about 51 lakh tonnes of iron ore from AMC in March 2010, sources said. The Lokayukta report on illegal mining had found certain irregularities indulged in by AMC in iron ore trading, they said. The CBI also conducted searches at the premises of three offices of Deccan Mining Syndicate Company in Bangalore, sources said. The company reportedly has links with Janardhana Reddy's company.
A four-member CBI team conducted a raid at the house of Davangere Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Muthaiah who was allegedly involved in illegal mining when he was head of the Bellary Zilla Parishad, sources said.
Muthaiah was not present in the house during the raid.
CBI officials also scrutinised his bank and locker
accounts, sources added.