Andhra Pradesh police have intensified their search for senior YSR Congress Party leader and former minister Kakani Goverdhan Reddy, along with four other accused in a major illegal mining case. The accused have allegedly been absconding for the past 12 days.
Under the supervision of SP Krishnakanth, six special police teams have been deployed, with search operations actively underway in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
To prevent Kakani from fleeing the country, the police have issued a lookout notice and alerted all airports and seaports, according to sources.
On Wednesday, the Andhra Pradesh High Court rejected Kakani’s anticipatory bail plea. Additionally, the hearing on his petition to quash the case has been adjourned for two weeks.
The prosecution informed the court that despite being summoned three times, Kakani failed to appear for questioning. They alleged that his close associates were involved in illegal quartz mining without government permissions, with Kakani playing a central role in the operation.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court declined to grant interim relief in the quash petition, stating it was not appropriate at this stage and deferred the hearing.
Meanwhile, police are gathering evidence related to illegal quartz mining and the use and transport of large quantities of explosives. Kakani and his associates allegedly exported quartz and feldspar worth over â¹250 crore to foreign countries.
Authorities are also investigating the transfer of large amounts of foreign currency. Police are probing the companies that supplied the explosives, the individuals who purchased them, and how they were used.
During the previous government’s tenure, illegal mining reportedly took place in Varadayapalem, a village near Kakani’s native place, Thoderu. Investigators have found that the mining occurred under his watch while he served as a minister.
Legitimate miners who had been operating in the area for nearly 30 years were allegedly threatened and forced to vacate, allowing large-scale illegal mining to take place.
Police registered a case in connection with the matter on February 16 in Nellore.