CBI names two bureaucrats as accused in OMC mining scam

CBI has named a former bureaucrat and an IAS officer as accused in the Obulapuram Mining Company scam.

Former Andhra Pradesh Mines and Geology director V D Rajagopal and senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi were added in the list of accused yesterday after probe indicated their alleged role in the illegal mining, CBI officials said today.

The duo was charged under relevant sections of IPC for criminal conspiracy and violation of the Mines Minerals Development and Regulation Act.

CBI, probing alleged illegal mining and irregularities in allotment of mining leases to OMC, on September 5 had arrested former Karnataka tourism minister and the company owner Gali Janardhan Reddy and the firm's Managing Director B V Srinivas Reddy from Bellary.

OMC is accused of changing mining lease boundary markings between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and indulging in "illegal" mining in Bellary Reserve Forest area, spread between Bellary district of Karnataka and Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh. Rajagopal, who was also the former Managing Director of Andhra Pradesh Mining Development Corporation, along with others has been accused of allowing mining on 'encroached' land in the reserve forest area, construction of roads through forest area and encroachment on neighbouring leases on the Anantapur-Bellary border.

CBI has found irregularities in certain leases given to OMC between 2005 and 2009 when Srilakshmi was the secretary of Andhra Pradesh's industries department. The probe agency had searched residence of Srilakshmi, who is now commissioner (health), here yesterday.