The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Mr V D Rajagopal, former director of Mines and Geology, Government of Andhra Pradesh, in the illegal mining case.
Mr Rajagopal, who was taken into custody by the investigating agency on Saturday after grilling him for long hours, was produced before the magistrate of the CBI special court at his residence on Sunday morning as it was a court-holiday.
According to CBI officials, Mr Rajagopal was the fourth accused in the case as he allegedly granted mining licenses to some companies including Penna Cements.
He was also grilled by CBI officials on his alleged role in granting of mining leases to some of the investors in the ‘Sakshi' daily of Kadapa Member of Parliament, Mr Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.
The magistrate had directed the officials to produce Mr Rajagopal in the court on Monday.
Former Karnataka minister, Mr Gali Janardhana Reddy and Obulapuram Mining Company Managing Director, Mr Srinivasa Reddy were arrested in the same case in September and are in judicial custody.