An assistant conservator of forests (ACF), who was the immediate subordinate of arrested deputy conservator of forests, S. Muthaiah, has reportedly claimed that officials showed undue favour to “GJR Sir,” during interrogation by CBI sleuths investigating the affairs of the Associated Mining Company (AMC) once owned by former minister, Janardhan Reddy, now behind bars for illegal mining, and his wife.
The CBI is looking into why the AMC was issued permits to transport 3, 20,000 metric tonnes of iron ore although there were no stockpiles of it at its minefield in the Ramghad reserve forests of Sandur. Mr Muthaiah has put the blameon the ACF, claiming he had acted in the matter on the oral instructions of Mr Janardhan Reddy, who was district in charge minister at the time. The ACF has now reportedly told the CBI sleuths during questioning that he saw no stock of iron ore at the AMC mines duirng his field inspection to ascertain its quantity before issuing the Stock Verification Certificate.
He has also reportedly accused Mr Muthaiah of forcing his subordinates to do illegal acts for the benefit of “GJR Sir”. “I refused to issue the Stock Verification Certificate which is mandatory for obtaining transit permits when an agent of the AMC approached me for it. But I was later forced by the minister's personal assistant, Ali Khan, to issue it. I sought instructions in this matter from my superior, Muthaiah, who told me to issue the certificate as it was for GJR Sir's mines,” the ACF said.