Advocate Venkateswar Rao, representing one of the accused, has denounced the verdict handed down by the CBI court as politically motivated in the Obulapuram Mining Case.
Speaking to the media shortly after the judgment, he confirmed that an appeal will be filed within the next 2 days.
“This is also a politically motivated case… There is no case at all. We have good grounds to succeed in the appeal. We will file an appeal in the court tomorrow or the day after tomorrow…” Rao stated.
The Special CBI Court in Hyderabad sentenced five individuals to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with illegal mining operations at the Obulapuram site. In addition to the prison terms, the court imposed a total fine of ₹1.4 lakh, with ₹1 lakh levied on Obulapuram Mining Company Pvt. Ltd. (OMCPL).
Those convicted include,
- V.D. Rajgopal, former Director of Mines & Geology, Andhra Pradesh
- Gali Janardhan Reddy, BJP MLA and former Director at OMCPL
- B.V. Srinivasa Reddy, Managing Director of OMCPL
- Mehfuz Ali Khan, partner at Devi Enterprises, Bellary
- Obulapuram Mining Company Pvt. Ltd., as a corporate entity
According to the CBI, the accused were involved in a criminal conspiracy to extract iron ore illegally by encroaching on government and private land, resulting in a massive loss of over ₹800 crore to the government.
Former Minister & Bureaucrat Acquitted
In a significant development, the court acquitted former Andhra Pradesh Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and retired bureaucrat B. Krupanandam, clearing them of all charges. Their exoneration marked a notable contrast to the harsh sentences delivered to the others involved.
Case Background & Allegations
The case, which dates back to December 8, 2009, has remained under investigation for over a decade. The CBI alleged that the accused colluded to bypass legal mining boundaries and operated without proper clearances, unlawfully extracting iron ore from restricted areas. The mining operations allegedly took place across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, with the primary beneficiary being OMCPL.
The CBI’s statement said the accused “criminally trespassed into government and private lands” as part of a “planned conspiracy” that caused significant economic damage to the state.
Legal Challenge On The Horizon
Maintaining that the case lacks merit, Advocate Venkateswar Rao reiterated the defense’s confidence in overturning the conviction. “We have strong legal grounds to challenge the verdict, and we will proceed with an appeal immediately,” he said.
The appeal is expected to be filed before a higher court within the next 48 hours.
With the convictions now in place, the focus shifts to the appellate courts. The outcome of the appeal could have far-reaching implications, not only for the individuals involved but also for the broader political narrative surrounding the case. As one of the most controversial mining cases in recent years, the Obulapuram saga is likely to remain in the spotlight for some time.
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