HYDERABAD: Senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, who is under the CBI’s scanner for her alleged role in the illegal mining scam, is understood to have confessed to her interrogators that she did allot -- under pressure from on high -- the Antha Gangamma Konda (AGK) mines in Anantapur district to Gali Janardhan Reddy’s Obulapuram Mining Corporation (OMC) in complete violation of the Mines and Minerals Development Regulations Act, 1957.Despite the confession, her arrest, however appears unlikely, for now.CBI sources said Srilakshmi blamed the then minister for mines and geology and present home minister P Sabita Indra Reddy and senior IAS officer M G V K Bhanu for pressurising her to sign the leases to OMC. The AGK mines are spread over three locations -- measuring 68.52 hectares, 39.50 hectares and 25.98 hectares.Sources said Srilakshmi’s confession came after she was confronted with statements given by various persons including some involved in the mining business. She has so far undergone several rounds of questioning by CBI but is yet to join Janardhan Reddy, his brother-in-law B V Srinivasa Reddy and former AP Mineral Development Corporation MD V D Rajagopal in custody.CBI sources said the investigation into the illegal mining case has almost come to an end.The agency’s joint director VV Lakshminarayana said the chargesheet will be filed by December 3. Asked about the possible arrest of Srilakshmi, he said: "We are collecting evidence.’’With regard to the whereabouts of Janardhan Reddy’s personal assistant, Ali Khan, the officer said a lookout notice has been issued for the man and agency teams are looking for him.It is learnt that the statements of N Konda Reddy, son of former Produttur MLA Varadarajula Reddy, and Sashi Kumar, both of whom are into the mining business, gave the CBI valuable leads into the case.During the questioning of home minister Sabita Indra Reddy, a source said four important files pertaining to the OMC leases were secured from her.Some information was gathered from Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy too.CBI officials said there was no need to question Sabita again. They refused to say whether or not Jagan would be questioned again.The CBI will take up the investigation into the TDP president Chandrababu Naidu’s assets after receiving formal orders from the court.The agency is likely to shortly hold a meeting with director- general of police V Dinesh Reddy and other higher officials in this regard."It may take two to three days to commence investigation,’’ sources said.Sources said the agency is verifying records collected from VANPIC after it questioned Nimagadda Prasad.The the CBI is in the process of collecting other records through the district collectors concerned. “If required, notices would be sent to the collectors to gather information,’’ they said. Meanwhile, Sashi Kumar appeared before the CBI at its office Monday and is understood to have been examined once again.
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