HYDERABAD: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Monday arrested Andhra Pradesh bureaucrat Y. Srilakshmi in the illegal mining case involving Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) of former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy.The CBI officials arrested the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official from the office of the family welfare commissioner Monday evening. She is likely to be presented before a magistrate.Srilakshmi, who is now the family welfare commissioner, was secretary industries, in charge of mines, in the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy government.CBI officials said they had evidence that Srilakshmi granted iron ore mining leases to OMC in violation of rules.She is the fourth accused and second official to be arrested in the case.Janardhana Reddy and OMC managing director B.V. Srinivasa Reddy were arrested from Bellary in Karnataka on Sep 5. Former mines director V.D. Rajagopal was arrested on Nov 13. All the three were lodged in Chanchalguda Central Jail.Srilakshmi was questioned by CBI several times during the last three months. She was arrested a few days ago. The CBI is to file a charge sheet in the case.The case against OMC was registered in 2009 for illegal mining in Anantapur district bordering Karnataka.The OMC onwers and others were booked for cheating, criminal conspiracy, theft, and criminal trespass. The cases were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act, Indian Forest Act, and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.The CBI later added IPC sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) and 469 (forgery).In a related development, the special court hearing CBI cases Monday extended the judicial custody of Janardhana Reddy and Srinivasa Reddy till Dec 3.
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