CCB issues notice to mining baron Reddy

BENGALURU: A day after conducting searches at his Ballari residence, the Central Crime Branch here Friday issued notice asking mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy, who is absconding, to appear before it on November 11.

Reddy is wanted in connection with money transaction amounting to crores of rupees allegedly linked to a ponzi scheme.

The central crime branch (CCB) is also hunting for Reddy’s close aide Ali Khan, who allegedly struck a Rs 20-crore deal with Syed Ahmed Fareed of Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd, a firm accused of involvement in the ponzi scheme, to bail him out of an Enforcement Directorate investigation.

Reddy’s lawyer C H Hanumantharaya, who earlier moved a city civil court Friday seeking anticipatory bail plea, told reporters that Reddy would take a call Saturday whether to appear before the CCB or not.

“The bail plea we had filed was withdrawn after the court asked the prosecution to file their objection by Monday.

The court also agreed to hear the victims of the case (ponzi scheme). Since the matter is coming up on Monday, we will decide whether Reddy should appear before the CCB or not,” Hanumantharaya said.

Meanwhile, Reddy filed two petitions in the Karnataka High Court.

The first petition pertained to quashing the First Information Report against him stating that it was based on “baseless allegations.”

The second plea sought removal of two police officials from investigating the case.