Survey of India (SoI), which probed suspected illegal mining by political heavyweights G Janardhana and Karunakara Reddy in Karnataka and Andhra, has prima facie absolved the brothers of the charge. SoI estimates only 100-150 metres could have been encroached on by their Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC).
The expert body headed by Gen AK Padha says the mining area supposed to be leased to OMC as per an agreement is 66 hectares, excluding 2.6 hectares meant for a road.
In its first report submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday, SoI says considering point No 1 at correct position, the observed traverse was superimposed on the sketched traverse and it differed by about 100 to 150 metres towards the west.
The report says the controversy is largely due to a boundary dispute between Andhra and Karnataka and the absence of a coordinated system to award mining leases. The lease areas are adjoining the disputed interstate boundary in the Bellary reserved forest, it says. SC allowed SoI to hand over copies of the report to OMC, so that it could file a reply within two days to enable the court to take up the matter on April 12.
