The officials submitted before the CBI court that the former mining and geology director, V.D. Rajagopal, knew that the 68.5 and 39.5 hectares in Anantapur district, leased by the Obulapuram Mini-ng Company, was devoid of quality iron ore and that the lease would be used to cover up the illegal mining activities of the company.

The CBI, opposing the bail to Rajagopal, said the accused abused his official position as public servant by preventing deserving applicants from getting mining lease of the said area and helped the main accused, Gali Janardhan Reddy, and B.V. Srinivas Reddy, to use permits issued by the mining department to justify their illegal mining activity.

“Rajagopal managed to get a memo favouring OMC soon after taking charge as the director of mines and geology, to consider the firm for the said lease. Rajagopal’s brother-in-law, D. Rajasekhar, was appointed as one of the directors of OMC to create a link between Rajagopal, Gali and Srinivas Reddy,” CBI said.

The officials stated that the investigation was at a crucial stage and that public servants who helped the accused are still being identified.

“The accused didn’t cooperate with the investigation while he was in custody nor disclosed any facts. It may not be possible the agency to recover some vital documents if he were released on bail,” they argued.

DC