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CBI Raids on Dayanidhi Maran And Others

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted raids on the residence of former central minister Dayanidhi Maran and six other places including Sun TV's office in Chennai. Even as the CBI raids were in progress, the Maran brothers were left isolated by DMK Party and its chief M Karunanidhi. The raids started at 7am on Monday after the CBI registered a first information report (FIR) against Dayanidhi and his brother and Sun Network managing director Kalanidhi Maran in the Aircel-Maxis deal. Dayanidhi Maran doesn't appear to have the sympathies of the party leaders or members of the Karunanidhi family. While Karunanidhi's elder son M K Alagiri has been openly against Maran, Karunanidhi's younger son M K Tamilarasu was the only person who went to Maran's place on Monday. Party functionaries kept away from the place. Party president M Karunanidhi and treasurer M K Stalin are in Trichy for the local body poll campaign. Sources said Karunanidhi is unlikely to spring to Maran's defence. "The DMK has suffered a lot because of Dayanidhi Maran. Thalaivar (Karunanidhi) feels that he is the main reason for many damages. So he will watch the developments silently" said a senior DMK MP.    

Police, People Treasure-hunt For Gali Riches

After Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple treasure in Kerala, it is mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy's allegedly hidden treasure that is making news nowadays. Rumours are going around round the clock with people in Bellary and Andhra Pradesh talking about all probable places where former Karnataka minister G Janardhana Reddy, now in CBI custody at Hyderabad, could have hidden his wealth. Apart from being kept in his and his aides’ houses, it is said to be buried in isolated places too. The police have been combing all possible places like paddy fields, old houses in some villages of Raichur and Bellary, in farmhouses and wells to recover the hidden treasure of the mining baron. Meanwhile, it wasn’t just the police hunting for the treasure. The Bellary rural police have arrested four persons—Santha Thomas Samuel, 39, a resident of Sindanur taluk in Raichur district; Swamy Rao, 48, a resident of Giddalur in Kadapa; Subba Reddy, 39, from Giddalur and Vasu, 30, from Krishna Nagar - who confessed to have come to the village in search of Reddy's treasure. Another treasure hunter, Chinna alias Sharana Channa, is absconding. Swamy Rao and Subba Reddy had contacted Santha Thomas Samuel and enquired about the hidden wealth in some of the villages. Soon, they hatched a plan to 'go for it' on the auspicious Vijayadashami day. The duo came to Krishna Nagar on October 6. They took the help of Vasu and Chinna to find the treasure, police said. They purchased gold mangalya, some idols, vibhuthi, kumkum, turmeric powder, sari, and coconut and performed puja before digging up. While they were at it, a few villagers saw them and found their behaviour suspicious. They caught four of them and informed the police. Upon interrogation, they reportedly told to police that on hearing about Reddy's hidden treasure they came in search for it. Swamy Rao told police that some people known to Reddy in Kadapa and other places in Andhra Pradesh spoke about the hidden treasure, police said. It was this that led the police to suspect that Reddy might have hidden his property, and that is why CBI raids on his or his aides' houses do not yield much. However, Superintendent of police, Chandragupta said, "The villagers found these thieves doing puja and searching for treasure in torch-light. After they confessed about the hidden treasure, our policemen searched the surrounding area, but they did not find anything." The arrested were produced in the court and sent to judicial custody.

Police, People Treasure-hunt For Gali Riches

After Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple treasure in Kerala, it is mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy's allegedly hidden treasure that is making news nowadays. Rumours are going around round the clock with people in Bellary and Andhra Pradesh talking about all probable places where former Karnataka minister G Janardhana Reddy, now in CBI custody at Hyderabad, could have hidden his wealth. Apart from being kept in his and his aides’ houses, it is said to be buried in isolated places too. The police have been combing all possible places like paddy fields, old houses in some villages of Raichur and Bellary, in farmhouses and wells to recover the hidden treasure of the mining baron. Meanwhile, it wasn’t just the police hunting for the treasure. The Bellary rural police have arrested four persons—Santha Thomas Samuel, 39, a resident of Sindanur taluk in Raichur district; Swamy Rao, 48, a resident of Giddalur in Kadapa; Subba Reddy, 39, from Giddalur and Vasu, 30, from Krishna Nagar - who confessed to have come to the village in search of Reddy's treasure. Another treasure hunter, Chinna alias Sharana Channa, is absconding. Swamy Rao and Subba Reddy had contacted Santha Thomas Samuel and enquired about the hidden wealth in some of the villages. Soon, they hatched a plan to 'go for it' on the auspicious Vijayadashami day. The duo came to Krishna Nagar on October 6. They took the help of Vasu and Chinna to find the treasure, police said. They purchased gold mangalya, some idols, vibhuthi, kumkum, turmeric powder, sari, and coconut and performed puja before digging up. While they were at it, a few villagers saw them and found their behaviour suspicious. They caught four of them and informed the police. Upon interrogation, they reportedly told to police that on hearing about Reddy's hidden treasure they came in search for it. Swamy Rao told police that some people known to Reddy in Kadapa and other places in Andhra Pradesh spoke about the hidden treasure, police said. It was this that led the police to suspect that Reddy might have hidden his property, and that is why CBI raids on his or his aides' houses do not yield much. However, Superintendent of police, Chandragupta said, "The villagers found these thieves doing puja and searching for treasure in torch-light. After they confessed about the hidden treasure, our policemen searched the surrounding area, but they did not find anything." The arrested were produced in the court and sent to judicial custody.

Jagan Stages Dharna at Pulivendula PS

Kadapa MP and YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy staged dharna at the Pulivendula police station protesting against beating up of his party activist who had participated in anti-government protests recently. He demanded for the suspension of concerned police officials. Rahamtulla, a party worker, who participated in a sit-in organised by the YSR Congress party against the government policies was allegedly beaten up by the police. Jagan demanded suspension of circle inspector of police Sankaraiah and sub inspector of police Purushotham Raju for allegedly beating up the party worker. Jagan went to the police station to confront police on the alleged incident. However, he resorted to a sit-in as no senior official was present at the station on Sunday.  

Gali Case: Two Bureaucrats Join Accused List

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the illegal mining case of Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Gali Janardhan Reddy brothers, has added to senior bureaucrats from State to the accused list. Former Andhra Pradesh Mines and Geology director V D Rajagopal and senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi were added in the list of accused after probe indicated their alleged role in the illegal mining, CBI officials told. Rajgopal and Srilakshmi were charged under relevant sections of IPC for criminal conspiracy and violation of the Mines Minerals Development and Regulation Act. The CBI, which is probing alleged illegal mining and irregularities in allotment of mining leases to OMC, on September 5 had arrested former Karnataka tourism minister and the company owner Gali Janardhan Reddy and the firm's Managing Director B V Srinivas Reddy from Bellary. OMC is accused of changing mining lease boundary markings between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and indulging in "illegal" mining in Bellary Reserve Forest area, spread between Bellary district of Karnataka and Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh. The CBI alleged that Rajagopal, who was also the former Managing Director of Andhra Pradesh Mining Development Corporation, along with others has been allowing mining on 'encroached' land in the reserve forest area, construction of roads through forest area and encroachment on neighbouring leases on the Anantapur-Bellary border. The CBI has also found irregularities in certain leases given to OMC between 2005 and 2009 when Srilakshmi was the secretary of Andhra Pradesh's industries department.  

T Cong MPs to go on Indefinite Fast: Madhu Yashki

Telangana Congress MP Madhu Yashki Goud today said he and other MPs in the Telangana region were prepared to launch fast-unto death if the Centre failed to announce the formation of Telangana state. Talking to mediapersons after a meeting of the T-Congress leaders at his residence here, he said the proposed action was aimed to put more pressure on the Centre on the issue. It will be better if the Centre announces a road map of Telangana state quickly as all people of the Telangana area have been striking work voluntarily for the last three weeks, he said. The strike was historical, Mr Goud said. Mr Yashki also demanded that salaries be paid to the striking employees. He said all the Telangana Congress MPs were ready to resign enmasse, in case it became necessary.    

Reason Behind Minister Komatireddy Resignation

AP Infrastructure minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy may boast of championing the Telangana cause by resigning from the Cabinet, but the real reason is something different, say the people who are at the helm of the affairs. The Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on Wednesday accepted the resignation of infrastructure minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. A Raj Bhavan communique issued on Wednesday evening stated that the Governor had accepted the resignation of Mr Venkat Reddy, and the portfolio of infrastructure, ports and airports held by him will be looked after by the Chief Minister. As being publicised by the minister that he has resigned in favour of formation of a separate Telangana seems a feeble claim in the light of the fact that other ministers from the region are not yet decided about relinquishing their posts. Their indecision also has a reason - the acceptance of Mr Venkat Reddy's resignation is a clear warning to other Telangana ministers. So far only two resignations have been accepted out of the 16 resignations submitted by ministers from the T region. By accepting ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy' resignations, it has been made clear that the resignations of ministers are being accepted unlike the resignations from membership of the Assembly, which are being kept on hold. This will certainly make the ministers to think twice before resigning. Moreover, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC general secretary in charge of AP affairs has said that "Mr Venkat Reddy is trying to give a colour that he has resigned for the Telangana cause, which is not correct. As far as my information goes, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy took objection to the rude behaviour of Mr Venkat Reddy, who created a scene in the Hyderabad RTA office, so he might have got peeved over that and resigned." However, Mr. Komatireddy denied it and said "It is a blatant lie. I announced my intention to resign in August. My resignation has nothing to do with the RTA incident. Mr Azad is trying to deceive the people of Telangana."  

Neutral Naidu Now Shifts to Three 'Eyes' Policy

TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu was constantly under fire from the Telangana protagonists, ever since he made known his controversial 'two-eyes' policy on Telangana issue. Now he is in trouble again by declaring that he would be neutral as far as the Telangana issue is concerned. Analysts said his assertion would lead to uproarious reactions from Telangana protagonists and cause further erosion of the party base in the region. Displaying his weakened stand on the contentious separate state issue, Naidu said, "I am neutral as far as Telangana is concerned. I have to respect the sentiments of the people of both the regions. I have to safeguard my party in both the regions so I cannot take a stand on the issue." At a press conference on Tuesday, he said it was for the Centre to take a decision. The statement has potential to inflame the passaions of the Telangana supporters. He went on to say that all the three regions were equal to him. "I have to protect their interests," he pointed out. However, he hastened to add that he has given freedom to leaders of both the regions to respect the feelings of the people in their respective areas. Asked whether he would accept any decision taken by the Centre on the contentious issue, Naidu was evasive. Referring to the growing unrest over the Telangana statehood issue, he wondered as to why Congress is keeping mum. "We have made our stand very clear many times," he said. He alleged that both Congress and TRS have joined hands to destroy TDP in Telangana. He said that both the parties have entered into a 'match-fixing' deal to demolish TDP in the region. He said Congress should take the responsibility for the instability and uncertainty prevailing in the state. The opposition leader came down heavily on chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for failing to supply power to the farmers in the kharif season. The chief minister stood exposed with his ineffective handling of various issues. Naidu strongly condemned the attacks on buses plying between Vijayawada and Hyderabad by Telangana supporters.      

Jagan-Cong Secret Deal: Naidu Prediction Right Again

The TDP President Sri N.Chandrababu Naidu is right again in his prediction that all the investigations against Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy had come to a stand still after his recent visit to Delhi and compromise with the party high command. If sources are to be believed YSR Congress party president Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy will soon get out of the mess in the form of CBI inquiry, ED raids and IT harassment into his illegal assets case, thanks to his reported deal with the Congress high command.   The deal is learnt to have cost Jagan a whopping thousands of crores and some sources put it above Rs.10,000 crore. According to highly placed souces, Jama Masjid Imam Syed Bukhari and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi are believed to have brokered the truce between Jagan and the Congress high command; and of course, AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs and Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Congress president Sonia Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel also did their bit in cystalising the deal. Sources said the mediators and the bigwigs in the Congress party had charged him towards party funds and also personal gratifications besides costliest gifts like Mercedes cars and gold ornaments. One prominent industrialist, who is into cement manufacturing, is learnt to have facilitated the transfer of the money. This industrialist was instrumental in helping Jagan getting some investments routed through benami accounts into his companies, also through Hindi media group in the North, in which Jaganmohan Reddy is said to be having some stakes. As per the deal, the CBI will dilute cases against Jagan at a later stage. In return, he will support Rahul Gandhi to become Prime Minister after the next general elections. Already, the Income Tax department officials have done maximum to dilute cases against him by clubbing all cases as one unit, by entrusting them to some easy-going officers, some of whom are loyal to Jagan. Sources said had those cases not been clubbed, he would have faced some problems from straight forward officers.

Anna Hazare Threatens to go on Fast Again

India Against Corruption leader Anna Hazare, who led India's largest street protests against corruption in decades, said on Tuesday he plans a hunger strike against the ruling Congress party during state elections in Uttar Pradesh next year if the anti-graft Jan Lokpal Bill is not quickly passed.   Millions of mainly middle class Indians supported a near two-week fast in August by veteran self-styled Gandhian campaigner, forcing the UPA government to bow to many of his demands for tougher laws to fight graft. The 74-year-old Hazare said he would campaign against Congress before the polls in Uttar Pradesh if the government does not approve his anti-graft proposals. The state elections are a stepping-stone before the general election in 2014 and a major test for possible prime ministerial candidate Rahul Gandhi, the emerging leader from India's most famous family dynasty who is personally leading the Uttar Pradesh vote campaign.   Several states go to the polls next year in a series of challenges for the ruling coalition led by the Congress party, the popularity of which has plunged on anger at the government's inability to crack down on endemic corruption. Hazare said he will also lead a series of political rallies against the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh, home to about 200 million people, if the bill is not passed in the winter session, due to start in November. He said he will change his anti-Congress party stance if the bill is passed. After his last hunger strike, the government partially agreed to Hazare's demand that an anti-corruption agency should have the power to investigate the prime minister, judges and civil servants.

Gali Judicial Custody Extended Till 17 October

Former Karnataka minister G Janardhana Reddy and his brother-in-law BV Srinivasa Reddy, arrested in the illegal mining case, will have to remain behind bars as a special court on Monday extended their judicial custody till Oct 17. The special court for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases passed the order after the investigating agency filed a memo seeking extension of their judicial custody, which was ending on Monday. The judge conducted the hearing via video linkage between the court and Chanchalguda Central Jail, where the accused are lodged. CBI officials said the accused were not brought to the Nampally Criminal Court complex due to security reasons.   The court had Sep 30 once again dismissed bail petitions of the mining baron and his brother-in-law. The same day, the court refused to remand the accused into further custody of the CBI. The federal agency had arrested the duo from Bellary in Karnataka Sep 5 in connection with illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. They were brought to Hyderabad the same day and the court sent them to judicial custody till Sep 19. The judge Sep 13 rejected bail pleas of the accused and remanded them to CBI custody for six days. The court later extended the judicial custody of the accused till Oct 3.

Gali Case: CBI Raids AMC Owned by Aruna Lakshmi

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday searched offices of two companies, including one owned by the wife of arrested mining baron and former minister Gali Janardhana Reddy, and also the residence of his close associate B Nagendra, a BJP MLA in Karnataka. According to sources, the 25-member CBI team, led by its Karnataka wing Superintendent of Police Subramanya Rao, conducted searches at the office of Associated Mining Company (AMC) owned by Aruna Lakshmi at Parvathinga and seized some documents.   The house of Koodligi MLA B Nagendra was also searched. The Human Resources Department office of Jindal Steel Works was also searched in the backdrop of the company getting about 51 lakh tonnes of iron ore from AMC in March 2010. The Lokayukta report on illegal mining had found certain irregularities indulged in by AMC in iron ore trading, they said. Gali janardhan Reddy and his Brother in law BV Srinivas Reddy are still in CBI custody at Hyderabad.  

TDP to Start Babli Hatao-SRSP Bachao Agitation

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will launch the Babli Hatao-SRSP Bachao agitation, if the Maharashtra government decides to operate the gates of controversial Babli project. The TDP announced its decision soon after a large number of local farmers of Nanded tried to operate the gates of Babli against the Apex court’s direction. According to sources on Sunday, a large number of farmers of Nanded and surrounding areas under the aegis of Akhil Bharat Chava Sanghatana, made a futile attempt to close the gates in order to store Godavari water. However, local authorities clamped Section 144 and barred the entry of vehicles within 5 km radius of the Babli project.   The Babli issue has flared up again at the time of Banswada byelections. The TDP opposed erection of gates to Babli project stating that it would badly affect the interests of a huge number of farmers in north T districts. The TDP demanded that Maharashtra government honour SC’s interim order against operation of the project gates. “The SC permitted Maharashtra government to erect the gates, but directed it not to operate them. As Maharashtra government did not close the gates, the local farmers tried to shut them. The next hearing on Babli case is in November. Till then, Maharashtra government should not operate the gates,” TTDF convenor E Dayakar Rao said. The AP government should counter Maharashtra’s ‘conspiracy’ to operate the gates in violation of SC’s directive, he said. If Babli gates were shut, Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) will not get water. About 18 lakh acres in T region will go bone dry if Babli project gates were operated, he contended. It may be recalled that in July 2010, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and other TDP leaders held a bus yatra to the Babli project. They were jailed. Later, Naidu was sent to Hyderabad in a special flight by Maharashtra government. A TDP delegation, including leaders like T Devender Goud, were caned in November, 2007. Now, TDP is planning to resume its agitation. "If necessary we will visit Babli,” Dayakar said, while opposing construction of Babli and 14 illegal projects across the Godavari river by Maharashtra government.

Separate Telangana State: Seemandhra Leaders' Reaction

The TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday had claimed that the central government was considering various proposals on Telangana, including merging Anantapur and Kurnool districts of Rayalaseema with Telangana to create a separate state. Reacting sharply to this, leaders from Rayalaseema said division of the region is unacceptable to them. Minister Shailajanath told reporters that there was no question of agreeing to merger of two districts with Telangana and that they would take up the issue with the central government. Leaders of the TDP also rejected the idea and termed it as KCR's "figment of imagination". Former minister and Congress leader J.C. Diwakar Reddy, however, said if bifurcation of the state becomes inevitable, Rayalaseema and Telangana should be merged to form Rayala-Telangana state.            

Telangana TDP Forum Leaders' Bus Attacked

The Telangana TDP Forum MLAs, who submitted resignations for the second time in support of separate Telangana, took out a "Bus Yatra' to reach to the people of the region. As their bus reached near Baswapur on Nizamabad highway, allegedly some TRS activists pelted stones on the TDP convoy. The angry forum leaders squatted on highway and created traffic chaos. The police intervened and asked the TDP leaders not continue with their bus  yatra. This again enraged the forum leaders and they started arguing with the police leading to a minor scuffle between them. The police arrested forum convenor Errabelli Dayakar Rao and others. The Telangana TDP Forum has aclled for statewide 'rasta roko' and bandh tomorrow.      

Naidu Jana Chaitanya Yatra Draws Huge Crowds

Telugu Desam Party supremo Chandrababu Naidu is on a 3-day 'Jana Chaitanya Yatra' in Ananthapur district. Naidu took up this yatra to bring awareness among the people about the misdeeds of former chief minister late YS Rajasekhar Reddy and the illegal mining activities carried out in Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Gali Janardhan Reddy. On the second day of 'jana chaitanya yatra' on Wednesday, the TDP president reiterated his allegation that former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was behind the murder of Telugu Desam Party Anantapur MLA Paritala Ravindra. Talking to media persons, Chandrababu Naidu alleged that Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had hatched a conspiracy to kill a few more TDP leaders, apart from Paritala Ravindra, in Anantapur district. Naidu also accused YSR of being involved in the irregularities of Obulapuram Mining Corporation, and that he had granted illegal permits to former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy for mining in the district. He alleged that YSR was responsible for encouraging the Gali brothers' corruption. Chandrababu Naidu also claimed that the credit for Gali's arrest goes to his party as it was the TDP which had launched continuous agitations against illegal mining permits in the state. Stating that the CBI probe would come out with a comprehensive report on the illegal assets of Gali and Y S R Congress Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. Earlier, Naidu unveiled TDP founder NTR's statue in Anantapur. He also conducted an aerial survey of the Obulapuram mines.      

Telangana TDP MLAs Resign Second Time

The Sakala Janula Samme or the separate Telangana stir is gaining momentum with more and more sections of the society joining the agitation. Though the Telugu Desam Party Telangana Forum was intent to join the bandwagon, the TRS and other T-protagonists objected to TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu's 'two-eyes' (He says Seemandhra and Telangana are like 'two-eyes' for him) policy and blocked the forum from joining the agitation. This made the Telanagana TD legislators marooned amidst the sea of the ongoing sakala janula samme. Fearing that the they will lose public support in the region, finally they decided to re-submit their resignations in support of separate Telangana for the second time. A total of 32 TDP legislators from Telangana region submitted their resignations to press the demand for separate statehood. After day-long deliberations, the legislators reached the assembly on Wednesday (28-09-2011) evening and submitted their resignations to legislature secretary. This is the second time in three months that TDP legislators have resigned. Their move is aimed at pressurising the legislators of ruling Congress to quit. TDP leader E. Dayakar Rao told that they submitted the resignation in the speaker's format. Except Gampa Goverdhan, who is reportedly planning to join Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), all legislators of TDP have submitted their resignations. Four rebel legislators of TDP had already submitted their resignations last month along with all 11 legislators of TRS.  

Gali Bail Case In Nampally Court Today

The Central Bureau of Investigation​ Special Court in Nampally will hear the mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy and his brother-in-law BV Srinivas Reddy's bail petitions today, the 29 September 2011. Gali Janardhan Reddy and Srinivas Reddy were arrested by CBI in connection with illegal mining case registered against the Obulalpuram Mining Corporation. The special court on Thursday last had adjourned the same case to today because of the strike by the Telangana lawyers in support of ongoing sakala janula samme. The court is also scheduled to hear CBI's plea for 9 days further custody of the Reddys. The Telangana advocates are still continuing their strike and it is to be seen whether the court will be able to go on with the proceedings or will adjourn the case further.      

One More TDP MLA to Join TRS Tomorrow

Telugu Desam Party is set to receive yet another jolt with its second-time MLA from Kamareddy constituency, Gampa Govardhan is quitting the party and joining KCR's Telangana Rashtra Samithi. He would formally join TRS at Telangana Bhavan at 1 PM on 29 September, 2011. Sources close to him said that his followers have been asked to attend the program in Hyderabad tomorrow. Goverdhan's decision to resign from TDP and join hands with Telangana forces comes seven months after his mentor and senior TDP leader Pocharam Srinivas Reddy quit the party and joined KCR's party. Analysts say, the TDP could be facing a serious identity crisis with senior leaders and sitting MLAs like Pocharam, Nagam Janardhan Reddy, Venugopala Chary, Jogu Ramanna and Harishwar Reddy quitting the party and joining hands with T forces after they fell out with Naidu over his two-eyes policy on Telangana issue.