Janardhan Reddy questioned for hours in bribery case

Former Minister and mining baron Janardhan Reddy on Saturday reached the Central Crime Branch (CCB) office for questioning in connection with an alleged bribery case.

Around 11 pm, the police had said the questioning is still going on.

"Questioning of Janardhan Reddy is on. At appropriate time, appropriate decision will be taken as per provisions of law," Alok Kumar, additional commissioner of police (crime), said.

Reddy is suspected to have received 57 kg of gold worth Rs 18 crore to help an accused in a case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Along with Reddy, his secretary Ali, jeweller Ramesh Kothari and one other have been named as accomplices in the alleged fraud case.

Earlier, Karnataka commissioner of police, T Suneel Kumar had said, "A company Ambidant, set up in 2016-17 assured investors a return of 30-40 per cent per month in form of profits. Thousands of people were lured to invest. Initially, they returned the first batch profits as promised following which more people poured in. Subsequently, when it failed to return the principal amount, cases were registered. In January 2017, the ED raided the company. The crime branch took over the case and a probe was conducted which revealed that transactions to the tune of Rs. 18 crore were carried out."

Later, it was discovered that the company had allegedly transferred the money to Ramesh Kothari who runs a billion business in the name of Ambika Jewellers. On quizzing Kothari, he informed that he had used the money to buy the gold, which was handed over to Reddy's personal assistant Ali.