CBI has got no jurisdiction to investigate in Karnataka says Justice Hegde

Bangalore, Sep 5 (ANI): Reacting to the arrest of former Karnataka Tourism Minister G Janardhan Reddy, former state Lokayukta Santosh Hegde on Monday said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has got no jurisdiction to conduct investigations in Karnataka.

Talking to reporters here, Hegde said: " It is not because of my reports on mining. It is because CBI has got no jurisdiction to investigate in case arising out of Karnataka."

Justice Hegde recalled that in 2009 or 2010, the Andhra Pradesh government had requested CBI to investigate certain things especially Obalapuram Mining Company and Jaganmohan Reddy's assets.

He said: " It must be in the course of investigation of that"But I really do not know for what particular illegality they have arrested Janardhan Reddy and Srinivasa Reddy," he added.

Complimenting the Central Bureau of Investigation, Justice Hegde said: " Nobody is big. If the CBI has made up it's mind, everyone needs to cooperate it. There might be collusion of Andhra Pradesh officers as well."

"Between 2010 and 2011, many scams have come to light. Corruption ... cannot go longer, it's end is coming closer. Some action has been taken. So many people have gone to jail. This is a positive indication against corruption," he added.

Earlier in the day, the CBI arrested Janardhan Reddy and Managing Director of Obalapuram Mining Company B V Srinivas Reddy after conducting raids at their premises.

Reddy was among those indicted by the Lokayukta report on illegal mining submitted to the Government on July 27.

Sleuths also raided the premises of Srinivas Reddy in Bangalore.

According to sources, the CBI team led by its DIG, P V Lakshminarayana has taken Janardhana Reddy and Srinivasa Reddy to Hyderabad for further questioning.

The probe agency action comes a day after Reddy's associate and former Karnataka minister B Sreeramulu resigned from his Assembly seat, protesting against the BJP's denial to give him ministerial berth and also keeping Bellary Reddy brothers out of the ministry. (ANI)