Karnataka: Janardhan Reddy to mine proof against HD Kumaraswamy in 3 weeks

Bengaluru: In a sign that the mining scandal will continue to dog the JD(S) which is hoping to make a comeback in next year's polls, former BJP minister and mining baron G. Janardhan Reddy appeared before the Lokayukta Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials, probing illegal mining cases, on Friday.

The SIT issued a notice to him to provide documents related to Rs. 150 crore kickbacks allegation he had made against the former chief minister H. D. Kumaraswamy. The SIT reopened the alleged Rs 150 crore kickbacks in the mining permits case against Mr. Kumaraswamy following the Supreme Court's direction.

As Mr. Reddy was the one who had made the allegation by releasing a video CD in 2006, he was issued a notice. In compliance, Mr. Reddy, who is out on bail on another mining scam, went to the SIT office in Hebbal on Friday afternoon.

He was there for less than 30 minutes. An SIT official said that the investigating officers asked Mr. Reddy to submit all documents - including the video CD that purportedly had the visuals of the then minister C. Chennigappa discussing the alleged deal, related to the case.

"He was not prepared with the documents and sought some time to produce them. He was asked to give it within three weeks," an official said. Speaking to reporters soon after, Mr. Reddy told reporters that he had been granted three weeks' time to submit the documents. "Its a 10 years old case and I need time to gather the documents. I requested the officials for some time and they have given me three weeks," he said.