CBI court dismisses bail pleas of Reddy and four others

A CBI court today dismissed the bail pleas of former Karnataka Minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy, his personal assistant Mehfuz Ali Khjan and three others arrested in connection with an illegal mining case involving Associated Mining Corporation.

Judge B M Angadi dismissed the petitions on the ground that the accused had committed an economic offence of "high magnitude affecting the very economy of the country". In its order, the court said as the matter was under investigation, the possibility of the accused tampering with evidence or threatening the witnesses cannot be ruled out. The judge then adjourned the matter to June 5. The court had on May 23 extended till June 5 the judicial custody of Reddy and others.