Bellary (Karnataka), Sep.6 (ANI): Members belonging to a social group here, have expressed satisfaction over the arrest of former Karnataka tourism minister, legislator and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy and said that the law and judiciary in the country is catching up.
Members of the social group took part in a celebration rally on Tuesday and raised slogans against Reddy.
Holding placards and banners, one of the members said though Reddy's arrest is late yet it has reinstated their faith in judiciary proceedings in India.
"Today, we have gathered here to celebrate the arrest of G Janardhana Reddy (former minister, legislator and mining baron). As per my knowledge this is too late I believe because number of complaints are pending before several organisations. Anyhow yesterday he has been arrested and in addition to him many Reddys are there even they are also to be arrested," said P. Narsimha, member of a social group.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids at Reddy's residence in Bellary district in connection with the alleged illegal iron-ore mining case that has caused a loss of around 3.6 billion dollars to the state exchequer between the period of 2006 and 2010.
They also added that India's federal police has finally opened it eyes and is gearing up to arrest corrupt leaders in the country, including Reddy.
"Now, after three years CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation, federal police) has opened its eyes and we are celebrating the victory of justice be cause we are seeing it today we are seeing it in Delhi, we are seeing it in all the other states where Kalmadi is arrested, A Raja is arrested and Kanimozhi is arrested. Here Nadu is arrested; already two former chief ministers are daily going to the courts and any day they can also be arrested. Already Reddy is behind the bars, that means that law and judiciary is catching up," said Agni Sridhar, another member of the social group.
Meanwhile, in Bellary district, locals indulged in hooliganism and damaged government property as a mark of protest against Reddy's arrest.
Reddy, a powerful figure in the mining sector, had earlier served as tourism and infrastructure minister, in the BJP-ruled state Karnataka.
The CBI also held BV Srinivasa Reddy, the head of a mining company owned by the former minister, in connection with the alleged scam.
Former Karnataka Ombudsman Justice (retired) Santosh Hegde's independent inquiry accused former state chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, and other key officials in illegal mining and a litany of abuses.
Along with Yeddyurappa, 400 firms and 787 people have been implicated in a web of corruption cases which involved mining, transport, customs and shipping officials, leading to hundreds of thousands of tonnes of iron ore going missing from mines across the state.
Yeddyurappa resigned on July 31 over the mining scandal, an issue of serious embarrassment for the BJP, presently running an anti-graft campaign against the federal government. (ANI)
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