While probing the Obulapuram Mining Company of Bellary baron and former Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy on allegations of illegal mining, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) relied on high resolution satellite imagery.
Senior CBI officials said satellite images, procured by the agency, showed clear violations by the Obulapuram Mining Company on the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border area.
“On the basis of satellite images which were minutely scrutinised by the investigators, we found that claims made by the mining company were false and without any basis. The company was indulging in illegal mining and exports of iron ore,” senior officials said here on Tuesday.
They said the mining company's violations were both in terms of area and quantity of extracting iron ore from the mines in areas beyond its jurisdiction and in quantities beyond its permissible limits.
On Monday, the CBI arrested Janardhan Reddy and his relative, the company's managing director, B.V. Srinivasa Reddy from Bellary.
