“Politically motivated case”: Advocate Venkateswar Rao on Obulapuram mining case

Hyderabad
(
Telangana
[India], May 7 (ANI):
Advocate Venkateswar Rao
indicated that the Obulapuram Mining case was driven by political motives and added that an appeal would be submitted to the court within the following couple of days.

In discussions with ANI, Rao stated, “This case bears political motives… There isn’t actually any case against us. We have strong reasons to expect success when we appeal. Tomorrow or the next day, we plan to submit our appeal to the court…”

Earlier today, the CBI court handed down seven-year rigorous imprisonment sentences to five individuals convicted in the case. Additionally, a collective fine of 1.4 lakh was levied, with an individual penalty of Rs 1 lakh imposed specifically on the implicated company.
Obulapuram mining case
, the agency stated in an announcement on Tuesday.

The CBI Court has similarly found not guilty former state minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and ex-bureaucrat B. Krupanandam in this case.
Obulapuram mining case
.

As stated by the CBI, the five individuals facing charges include VD Rajgopal, who was serving as the Director of Mines and Geology under the Andhra Pradesh government at the time; BJP MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy, also functioning as a director back then; BV Srinivasa Reddy, managing both M/s OMCPL in Bellary; Mehfuz Ali Khan, associated with M/s Devi Enterprises in Bellary as well as being a partner in M/s Obulapuram Mining Company Pvt. Ltd.

The statement says, “Special Judge for CBI Cases,”
Hyderabad
Today, May 6, 2025, five individuals were convicted, including Sri V.D. Rajgopal, who was formerly the Director of Mines & Geology for the Government of Andhra Pradesh; Sri Gali Janardhan Reddy, also previously a Director; Sri B.V. Srinivasa Reddy, former head of M/s OMCPL in Bellary; Sri Mehfooz Ali Khan, earlier associated as a partner at M/s Devi Enterprises in Bellary; and M/s Obulapuram Mining Company Pvt. Ltd., each receiving seven years of rigorous imprisonment along with an aggregate fine totaling 1.4 lakhs, which includes a penalty of one lakh rupees levied against the corporate entity involved in illegal mining activities within Obulapuram.

The
Obulapuram mining case
was registered on December 8, 2009 against the aforementioned accused. It was alleged that the accused in criminal conspiracy with each other committed offences of illegal mining of iron ore by criminally trespassing into the government lands and lands of other private persons and thus caused loss of more than Rs. 800 Crore loss to the government, the release stated. (ANI)