Centre Okays Srilakshmi Prosecution

The troubles for suspended senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi seem to be far from over. The Central cabinet on Thursday approved permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute her in connection with the illegal mining case of Obulapuram Mining Corporation owned by former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy.
The Central decision followed an approval from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for prosecution of Srilakshmi both under Criminal Procedure Code and Prevention of Corruption Act. “In view of the serious charges against her, the Central government has approved the prosecution of Srilakshmi,” reports from New Delhi said.
Srilakshmi, who was arrested on December 2, 2011, was granted interim bail by the high court in October 2012 on health grounds. The bail expired on January 21, but was granted further extension till March 20, as she pleaded with the court that she was suffering from spinal problem.
A couple of days ago, she sought further extension of interim bail till the completion of investigation into the case, stating that she was taking treatment for regaining the lost sensation in her left lower limb in CMC Hospital at Vellore in Tamil Nadu and the recovery process was not complete yet.
Even as the petition was pending in the court, the Centre approved the CBI’s plea for her prosecution, much to her chagrin.