CBI, which has submitted its charge sheet in the illegal mining case involving the former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan reddy, has cited the then mining secretary of the central government Mr Anil Subramanyam as witness number 1.

Reports suggested that CBI has been mainly banking on witnesses to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the words ‘captive mining’ in the GO issued in favour Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) owned by Gali brothers.

While the suspended IAS officer and former mining secretary Srilakshmi said that she issued the GOs in favour of OMC after the approval of the then mining minister Sabitha Indra Reddy, the latter said that the note file sent to her contained the words ‘captive mining’.

On the other hand, Anil Subramanyam has revealed that he had cleared the proposals sent by the state government with regard to mining leases given to OMC.

The CBI has totally submitted a list of 201 witnesses and Anil Subramanyam stands first in the list while the AP Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy was listed as witness number 53.

The most surprising omission from the witness list is that of YSR Congress president Mr YS Jaganmohan reddy who claimed he was questioned by the CBI as a witness. The other omissions are the names of IAS officer MGVK Bhanu who worked as the special secretary in the CMO during the YSR regime and the suspended IAS officer Srilakshmi’s predecessor in the mining department Mr Krupanandam.

The question now taunting the journalists is whether CBI will list them as witnesses or accused in the supplementary charge sheet which will be submitted shortly in the special court. (JUBS)