In a major legal and political setback, BJP leader and Karnataka MLA G Janardhana Reddy has been disqualified from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly following his conviction in a long-pending illegal iron ore mining case. The disqualification came into effect immediately after a special CBI court in Hyderabad pronounced its verdict on May 6, 2025, sentencing Reddy and three others to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹10,000 each.

The case, widely known as the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining case, has been under investigation for more than a decade and has cast a long shadow over Karnataka’s political landscape. Janardhana Reddy, a former minister and a controversial yet influential political figure in Karnataka, was named as the second accused in the chargesheet. The court’s ruling not only brings legal closure to a case that has been in the spotlight since 2012 but also disrupts the current political equation in the state.

As per the notification issued by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Reddy’s disqualification is in accordance with Article 191(1)(e) of the Indian Constitution, read along with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The law states that any legislator convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more shall stand disqualified from the date of conviction.

“Such disqualification shall continue for a further period of six years since his release, unless the conviction is stayed by a competent Court,” the official notification added.

Reddy represented the Gangavati Assembly constituency, a seat he had won in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections as the leader of his newly floated party, the Kalyana Rajya Pragati Paksha (KRPP), after parting ways with the BJP following internal disagreements and legal troubles. His decision to float a new party was seen as a significant political gamble. However, in an unexpected move, he merged KRPP back into the BJP in early 2024, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, citing ideological alignment and broader support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

This latest conviction, however, undoes his political rehabilitation and revives scrutiny over his earlier tenure, particularly the mining boom that made headlines for its scale and environmental impact. The CBI, which handled the investigation, had accused Reddy and his associates of operating without valid permits, transporting iron ore illegally, and manipulating government records to facilitate unlawful exports — all of which resulted in a massive loss to the exchequer and extensive ecological damage.

The court proceedings, which dragged on for nearly 14 years, included voluminous evidence, multiple witness testimonies, and forensic analyses. The judgment, delivered by the Principal Special Judge for CBI Cases in Hyderabad, was viewed as a landmark in the fight against corruption and corporate-political collusion in the mining sector.

After the verdict, the CBI took Reddy and the other convicted individuals into custody, and they were subsequently shifted to a prison facility. Along with the individual fines imposed on the accused, the court also levied a penalty of ₹1 lakh on the Obulapuram Mining Company, which was central to the illegal operations.

Reddy’s disqualification results in the Gangavati seat falling vacant, necessitating a by-election unless a higher court stays the conviction and allows him to retain his position. This could further impact BJP’s strength in the state assembly, where political alignments remain delicate and dynamic.

The political ramifications of this development are substantial. Reddy has long been a powerful and controversial figure in Karnataka’s Bellary and Koppal regions, once known for his political clout and financial muscle during the mining boom era. His close links with top BJP leaders, including his past proximity to former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, had previously insulated him from many challenges. However, the judicial verdict now creates a legal and moral dilemma for the BJP, which had recently welcomed him back into its fold.

Opposition parties, particularly the Indian National Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), have seized upon the disqualification to criticize the BJP’s decision to reinduct a tainted leader. Several Congress spokespersons called this a “vindication of their consistent stand against illegal mining and political patronage of criminal elements.”

Environmental groups and activists who have been pursuing justice in the Bellary mining scandal also welcomed the ruling, saying it would act as a deterrent against future illegalities in the sector. The ruling sets a precedent for holding politically connected individuals accountable, irrespective of their stature.

However, legal experts caution that the disqualification is not final until all avenues of appeal are exhausted. Reddy's legal team is likely to approach a higher court seeking a stay on the conviction and sentence, which could potentially reverse the disqualification temporarily, depending on the court’s ruling. Until then, Reddy remains ineligible to contest elections or hold public office, and his immediate political career appears to be in limbo.

This development is part of a broader narrative involving corruption, resource exploitation, and political opportunism that has plagued Karnataka politics for decades. While the judiciary has taken a strong stance in this instance, the real test lies ahead — whether political parties will internalize the lessons or continue to prioritize short-term electoral gains over ethical governance.

For now, the spotlight is back on illegal mining in Karnataka, and Janardhana Reddy’s fall from grace serves as a reminder that no individual, however powerful, is above the law. His disqualification not only alters the political dynamics in Gangavati but also forces the BJP to confront uncomfortable questions about its recent alliances and the kind of leadership it wishes to promote going forward.

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