CBI probe into illegal mining meaningless: D V Sadananda Gowda

BANGALORE: Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Thursday said a CBI inquiry into illegal mining in the state is meaningless since the Lokayukta is already probing it.

"There is no meaning in the CBI inquiry into illegal mining in Karnataka since the Lokayukta is already looking into it," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition which has been vociferous in its demand for a CBI probe into illegal mining in Karnataka, Gowda shot back, "Those who are doing it have a motive behind it."

The BJP government in Karnataka has come under repeated attack from the Opposition on the illegal mining issue, over which they have been targeting the powerful Bellary mining magnates, the Reddy brothers, now in judicial custody after arrest by CBI at the directive of Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Janardhana Reddy was arrested on September 5 along with his brother-in-law and MD of his mining firm Srinivasa Reddy under the Prevention of Corruption Act.