Janardhan Reddy Back as MLA after Telangana Court Verdict
BM TEAM
“Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly has withdrawn the disqualification order against BJP MLA G. Janardhan Reddy, who was convicted in an illegal mining case by a CBI special court. The Assembly took this step after the Telangana High Court stayed the CBI court’s verdict. According to Assembly sources, the disqualification order can be withdrawn if the higher court stays or quashes the verdict.”
Gali Janardhan Reddy, a BJP MLA from Gangavathi in Karnataka, was convicted in an illegal mining case by a CBI special court in Hyderabad on May 6, 2025. Here’s what happened:
- Conviction and Sentence: Reddy was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment and fined ₹10,000 for his role in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining scam. The court found him guilty of manipulating mining lease boundaries and conducting illegal mining operations in the Bellary Reserve Forest area, causing a loss of ₹884 crore to the public exchequer.
- Disqualification as MLA: Following the conviction, the Karnataka Assembly Secretariat issued a notification disqualifying Reddy as an MLA on May 9, 2025.
- Stay on Conviction: However, the Telangana High Court stayed the conviction, which led to the Karnataka Assembly withdrawing the disqualification order. This means Reddy’s MLA position has been reinstated.
Reddy’s case is significant due to
- Large-scale Illegal Mining: The case involves massive illegal iron ore mining in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, with Reddy accused of running a mining cartel during his tenure as a BJP minister from 2008 to 2011.
- High-profile Case: The case has been ongoing for 15 years, with the CBI probe initiated on Supreme Court directions. Reddy’s influence in North Karnataka’s politics, particularly in the Ballari region, has been notable despite the allegations.
- Impact on Politics: The development may have implications for the BJP in Karnataka, given Reddy’s role in the party’s success in the region.
