Tough times are ahead for the Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy for her role in the illegal mining scam involving the former Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan reddy.

The CBI in its remand dairy had given a reference to the then mines minister though the name of Sabitha Indra Reddy was not directly mentioned. With this, the chances of her name being included in the charge sheet have increased.

The CBI said in its remand dairy that the note sheets relating to the GOs 151 and 152 were opened and approved by the then mining department secretary Srilakshmi on June 18, 2007 and on the same day the GOs were issued by her after the then mines minister Sabitha Indra Reddy approved them.

After the GOs 151 and 152 were issued on June 18, 2007, the OMC owned by Gali Janardhan reddy entered into lease agreements with the assistant director of mining department in Ananthapuram district the very next day (June 19, 2007). Again, the very next day, on June 20, 2007, all transport and other permits were issued to the OMC.

When the CBI officials questioned Sabitha Indra reddy, she reportedly told them that she just signed the note files sent to her by Srilakshmi. “I don’t know any other thing,” she told them. Legal experts say her arguments may not stand the scrutiny of a legal court as was the concerned minister.

Sister did her duty towards brother

It might be mentioned that the late YSR used to call Sabitha as his Chevella Chellamma. Political circles are now wagging their tails that the sister had simply obeyed the commands of the brother YSR who ensured the mining leases went to Gali Janardhan reddy. (JUBS)