IAS officers arrest imminent in OMC case

HYDERABAD: The arrest of senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi appears more or less certain after officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation grilled her for nine long hours at the CBI’s office at Koti here on Thursday.The chances of her turning an approver cannot be ruled out completely as she is understood to have put forth the ‘proposal’ before the agency.Sources described this development as significant and perhaps the final round of questioning.Contrary to reports that the CBI would seek permission from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) before arresting her, officials said the CBI needed DoPT’s permission only to prosecute an IAS officer and not to arrest him.Srilakshmi has been named as an accused for her alleged role in granting mining leases to the Obulapuram Mining Company promoted by G Janardhana Reddy.CBI officials confronted Rajagopal and Srilakshmi during which the sleuths reportedly came across contradictions in Srilakshmi’s version. Rajagopal is in CBI custody till November 21.Sources said that the IAS officer was questioned about her role in granting mining leases to OMC and to some questions, she reportedly blamed Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, stating that all instructions came from him. While CBI joint director V V Lakshminarayana questioned her. The proceeding was videographed, which is normally done to ensure that the accused does not make any sort of allegations against the investigating agency.Srilakshmi is also said to have offered to turn approver in the mining scam.CBI said they gathered strong evidence against the senior IAS officer, who is presently posted as family welfare commissioner.Signing files under pressure does not mean that her complicity was not there. There is strong evidence against her, the sources said. The CBI believes that both Srilakshmi and Rajagopal allegedly received huge kickbacks for granting the mining leases.