CBI team makes a visit to Krishnapatnam Port

NELLORE: A team of CBI officials led by its joint director VV Lakshminarayana on Thursday visited the customs office in Nellore and Krishnapatnam Port in Muttukur mandal as part of their investigation into illegal mining by Obulapuram Mining Company owned by former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy.The CBI team visited the customs office here at around 7:30 a.m.and interacted with the officials.Speaking to mediapersons, Lakshminarayana said they are conducting the searches to verify exports of iron ore from Obulapuram mines.“We are seeking to get information about the procedures followed in export of iron ore by the OMC.We will examine details of procedures followed in exporting iron ore besides looking into procedural documents.We are also looking into the permissible limits of the exports, permissible weight for truck to transport the ore, amount of ore transported to Krishnapatnam port and how much ore was exported, from what date and to where,’’ he said.To a question whether there is any link between today’s raids and Jagan’s properties case, he replied in the negative.He said they were here as part of investigation into Janardhan Reddy’s Obulapuram mines case.The CBI officials later went to Krishnapatnam port, where the inspections were continuing and are expected to continue till tomorrow morning.Sources said that the CBI officials seized some important documents from the customs office relating to transport and export of iron ore from Obulapuram mines.Bombay Highway in Nellore district was badly damaged due to overloaded trucks transporting iron ores from Obulapuram mines which led to several accidents also, sources said.It may be recalled that on September 5, CBI had arrested former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy and OMC managing director B Srinivas Reddy in connection with the alleged mining scam.The duo have been remanded in judicial custody in Hyderabad till October 31.