SC panel terms Reddy brothers? mining illegal

The Reddy brothers of Karnataka on Friday received a major jolt with an expert committee report claiming that the two minister brothers are running an illegal mining empire in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

The Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC), in its report to the Supreme Court, has ruled that the mining lease of Reddys? Obalapuram mine in Andhra?s Anantapur district, bordering Bellary in Karnataka, should be cancelled.

The report states that G Jnanardhana Reddy and Karunakara Reddy have been mining in areas demarcated as forest land in 2004 ?with the connivance of Andhra Pradesh government officials?.

It further states that more minerals than permitted in their leases were extracted from the Reddy mines and they should be made to pay ?exemplary compensation?.

Jnanrdhan Reddy, dismissing the report, said that it was motivated.

?It’s totally with a prejudiced mind, it is totally against us, When time comes I will tell the names of the politicians of this country who want to finish the steel industry and the Janardhana Reddy family,? he said.

He said they will be filing their objections before the Supreme Court within the stipulated period of 15 days provided to them.

The Reddy brothers are important ministers in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka.