After being denied bail for four consecutive times, jailed former Minister and mining baron, Mr Gali Janardhana Reddy, managed to get his wish fulfilled the fifth time. It did come at a cost though – a bribe of Rs 5 crores  to the CBI  judge who was hearing his case.

However, the first Additional Special Judge, Mr T Pattabhirama Rao, has now ended up paying a much bigger price:  getting exposed in full public view, suspension from his post and a fast-paced CBI investigation which is likely to take him to prison.

Also, facing ignominy is a retired judge, Mr T Chalapathi Rao, who acted as a conduit between the baron and the judge.

Acting on a hunch, the CBI kept a tab on individuals close to the Special Judge and Gali days before the bail plea came up for hearing on May 11.  A cell phone was also tapped, which provided vital leads.

The CBI later confronted Mr Pattabhirama, who denied taking money to grant bail in the Obalapuram Mining Case. He was forced to hand over the locker keys of banks where his son, Mr Balaji, had accounts, when evidence of his involvement was shown.

The involvement of Law Minister, Mr Erasu Pratap Reddy, a relative of Mr Reddy, is also doing the rounds. However, in a press conference held at the Chief Minister’s residence, the Law Minister insisted on his innocence. Two MLAs from Bellary in Karnataka are also suspected of involvement though their names have not yet been revealed.

The High Court has launched separate disciplinary proceedings against the tainted judge. While the CBI has recovered Rs 3 crores of cash already, it has initiated a state-wide hunt for the remaining amount.  

The issue has,  meanwhile, created an uproar in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, with stringent action demanded against the disgraced judge.

 Editor