The CBI today said its officials would visit foreign countries, including Mauritius and Virgin Islands, next month to track the trail of “huge” money transactions in connection with illegal mining.
“We will visit foreign countries, including Mauritius and Virgin Islands, in the first week of February to track the trail of huge money transactions from companies owned by former minister, Mr G. Janardhana Reddy, into the country,” the CBI sources said.
The CBI investigations have revealed that Mr Reddy and his brothers owned six companies in foreign countries including Mauritius and Virgin Islands, sources said.
“These companies diverted money paid by Chinese companies for iron ore export,” sources said, adding that the investigating agency will verify the flow of funds into the country.
The CBI officials visited Mr Reddy’s residence here for the second consecutive day today in connection with the chargesheet filed against him in the illegal mining case involving his firm Obulapuram Mining Company, sources said.
The officials examined the details of the properties and assets owned by the former minister which was mentioned in the chargesheet.
On December 3, the CBI had filed the chargesheet in a special court in Hyderabad against Mr Janardhana Reddy, his brother-in-law Mr B.V. Srinivas Reddy (also Managing Director of the mining company) and against former Director of Mines and Geology (Andhra Pradesh) Mr V.D. Rajagopal and OMC.
The Reddys, who were arrested on September 5 from Bellary, are in judicial custody and lodged in the Chanchalguda Central Prison in Hyderabad along with Mr Rajagopal, who was arrested subsequently.
As per the chargesheet, Mr Janardhana and Mr Srinivasa entered into a criminal conspiracy with Mr Rajagopal and late Mr R. Linga Reddy, the then Assistant Director (Mines and Geology in Anantapur district), Ms Y Srilakshmi and others and got mining leases allotted to OMC Limited and indulged in illegal mining activities amounting to lakhs of tonnes iron ore.