Hyderabad, December 02: The CBI Special Court on Thursday adjourned the bail petition of suspended IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, who was in CBI custody for her alleged role in the mining scam of Obulapuram Mining Corporation, to Friday.
The court witnessed marathon arguments and counter arguments on Srilakshmi’s bail petition.
During the arguments, the CBI’s counsel gave clean chit to the then mines and geology minister Sabitha Indra Reddy in the OMC mining scam. It may be mentioned that Srilakshmi had earlier alleged that she signed the two controversial GOs 151 and 152 allowing the OMC to mine iron ore in Anantapur district at the instance of Sabitha Reddy. However, the CBI’s counsel argued that the allotment of mines was done at the Secretary level only and the Minister had no power to sign GOs.
The CBI counsel strongly objected Srilakshmi’s bail petition saying that she might influence the witnesses and tamper with the evidences. He also claimed that Srilakshmi submitted a fake health report to seek bail.
Meanwhile, Srilakshmi’s counsel maintained that she was innocent. He said it was only after the then mines and geology minister Sabitha Indra Reddy approved the files relating to the sanction of mining leases to OMC, she issued the two controversial GOs. Citing health condition, the counsel sought bail for Srilakshmi.
After hearing the arguments, the court posted the petition for further hearing to Friday. Meanwhile, the court also remanded Srilakshmi to judicial custody till December 12. Earlier, the CBI produced Srilakhsmi before the court after the end of three-day custody.
Following the directions of court, the officials have shifted Srilakshmi to Chanchalguda Women’s Jail.
——–Agencies