EC issues notice to Reddy brothers

BANGALORE: The Election Commission on Monday issued notices to the Reddy brothers for holding offices of profit while serving as ministers, dealing a further blow to the already embattled BJP government in Karnataka.

The trio of ministers in Yeddyurappa’s cabinet — G Janardhan Reddy, G Karunakara Reddy and B Sriramalu — have been asked to explain how they could be directors of Obulapuram Mining Company and ministers of the state government at the same time.

The Reddy brothers, who are mining barons from the Bellary district, are facing various corruption charges relating to illegal mining, usurpation of forest land and illegal shipment of iron ore from Karnataka.

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa said an investigation is being conducted by the corps of detectives into the matter and added that the state has requested the Centre to investigate how such large quantity of ore could be exported without getting proper approvals.

The three ministers are very influential in their district and are known to be close to the Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj.

On Monday, they were in a combative mood, saying that they are studying the document in consultation with their legal team, before deciding their next step.

“These kind of notices have been served on many in the country. Even political giants such as Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were also served notices. We will reply to the notice in the given time.”