Guv welcomes SC order in connection with illegal mining

Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj today welcomed the Supreme Court order favouring a CBI probe into the linkage between mining activities in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh allegedly involving the Reddy brothers.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, he said "...it becomes easier for us to get it (illegal mining) investigated to the logical conclusion in Karnataka also".

".....We are eagerly awaiting to cover all areas (where illegal mining has taken place) including Karnataka", Bhardwaj said.

He said former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hedge had reported to him about the illegal mining activities in Karnataka and that such activities had extended to the border of Andhra Pradesh.

To a query on former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's claim that Reddy brothers were not involved in illegal mining, Bhardwaj said when he came to know that the ministers were indulging in such activities, he had recommended to Yeddyurappa to remove them.

"But instead of doing anything, he went contrary to that and the result of that is he himself is facing the heat now in the courts", he said.