Bellary, Karnataka:
For the third successive day, CBI teams from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka continued the probe into alleged illegal mining operations committed by former Karnataka minister G Janardhana Reddy.
Teams of officials from the agency and experts from different departments including Mines and Geology continued their investigations today in mineral rich Sandur region of the district pursuant to a Supreme Court directive.
According to official sources, CBI officials held discussions with officials from state departments of Mining, Earth sciences, Forest and Revenue and then went on to conduct on-the-spot probe in mining areas coming under Ramghad and surrounding areas owned by Reddy's Associated Mining Company and Deccan Mining Syndicate.
The Supreme Court had expanded the ambit of the CBI probe, which was first ordered into the transaction of another Reddy owned firm Obulapuram Mining Company in Andhra Pradesh.
Janardhana Reddy, arrested by the CBI on September 5 last, has been in judicial custody and is presently lodged at Prarappana Agrahara central jail in the city.
The over ten-member CBI team was led by SP Subramanyeshwar Rao. CBI had also requisitioned the services of expert engineers from Singareni Coal Fields.
The experts have been using 3D Terrestrial Laser scanning machine that can determine the quantum of mining done in the areas over a certain period.
The instrument can measure the length and depth of mining done and the mineral resources available in the area up to an extent of 1,400 square metres at a time, sources said.
During March, the CBI teams had conducted surveys in other parts of Sandur and Hospet taluks and then opted to conduct survey using laser scanning technology, they said.