CBI to cast net wider for government officials

HYDERABAD: After including the names of IAS officer Y Sri Lakshmi and former director of mines and geology VD Rajagopal in the list of the accused in the illegal mining case involving Karnataka former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, the Central Bureau of Investigation is now focusing on possible involvement of several other government officials in the scam.Though the CBI did not name any serving or retired government official in the initial stages of the case, it has now included the names of former secretary of industry and commerce Y Sri Lakshmi and former director of mines and geology VD Rajagopal in the Obulapuram illegal mining case. Earlier, the CBI conducted raids on the residences of Rajagopal and Sri Lakshmi and questioned them.During their investigation, the CBI prima facie found certain irregularities in leases given to the OMC owned by Janardhan Reddy when Sri Lakshmi was the secretary in the industries and commerce department.``Though the involvement of other IAS officers is being probed, it is too early to name them,’’ a CBI officer said but added that there was a conspiracy by the mines department officials in Anantapur district in curbing the illegal mining and transportation of ore.According to sources, Rajagopal’s name figured as Accused-3, followed by Sri Lakshmi.Earlier, the CBI named Janardhan Reddy and his brother-in-law B V Srinivas Reddy, both representing the OMC, and `others’ in the case.“We will add the names of all those who were found involved in the case after getting enough evidence of their role,’’ a CBI official said, adding, “We have secured enough evidence against the two officers and their names have been included in the list of the accused.”