SC stays trial against IAS officer Srilakshmi in illegal mining case

Hyderabad: In a relief to Andhra Pradesh IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed a Telangana high court order directing her to face trial in the illegal mining case linked to mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy. A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice NK Singh issued a notice to the CBI while hearing Srilakshmi's appeal challenging the high court's judgment.The CBI, in 2011, charged Srilakshmi with colluding with Janardhan Reddy and his Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) by granting them iron ore mining leases in 2005-06 in an ‘out-of-turn' manner, when she was serving as secretary, industries and mines department. Janardhan Reddy, a former Karnataka minister, and some associates were convicted in the case and sentenced to seven years in jail, though they are currently out on bail after the high court stayed their conviction. Two other accused — P Sabitha Indra Reddy, then minister for mines, and Kripanandam, former industries secretary — were acquitted by the trial court. The Telangana high court had earlier discharged Srilakshmi from the case, ruling that the CBI had failed to produce sufficient material to prosecute her. The CBI then moved the Supreme Court, arguing that the order was passed without hearing its version. The apex court remanded the case to the high court, directing it to reconsider after hearing both sides. After rehearing, the high court dismissed Srilakshmi's plea and held that her role should be examined only during the trial. Challenging this, she approached the Supreme Court, which has now stayed the high court's order and sought the CBI's response. The matter has been posted for further hearing on Oct 28.