I was offered Rs 40 crore to bailout mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy: Former CBI special judge
Hyderabad, Aug 27: A former CBI special judge has appeared in a court here as a witness in connection with a "cash-for-bail" case involving mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy and claimed that an offer of bribe to the tune of Rs 40 crore was made to him to grant bail to the former Karnataka minister in 2012.
The former judge, Naga Maruti Sarma, had served as special judge for CBI cases in 2012 and was hearing a case of alleged illegal mining involving Reddy.
Sarma reiterated his previous claim before the Anti-Corruption Bureau Court on Monday that an offer of bribe was made to him through another judicial officer to give bail to Reddy.
The case is presently being tried at the ACB court in the city.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 12.
Reddy, who was in a jail in Hyderabad in 2012 in connection with the case, had sought bail from the CBI court.
Sarma had earlier claimed that he rejected the offer made by the judicial officer.
The offer was allegedly made when Sarma had called on the judicial officer, senior to him, when the latter sought to meet him.
Reddy was given bail by another judge in the case and the CBI had complained to ACB on the matter.
Two judges were suspended earlier in connection with the case which created a sensation in 2012.
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Nandi Hills cable car rides may begin by 2027 as land acquisition nears completion: Report
Bengaluru: Provided there are no delays, tourists will be able to enjoy cable car rides above Nandi Hills by mid-2027, as the land acquisition process atop the hills nears completion, reported the Times of India on Tuesday.
According to officials from the Karnataka Tourism Department, the process to acquire 3.5 acres of private land at the top of Nandi Hills — essential for building the upper terminal — is expected to be completed by November 2025. Land for the lower terminal has already been acquired.
Dynamicx Ropeway Private Limited, which is executing the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with the tourism department, has submitted its final project plans for approval to planning authorities in both Bengaluru Rural and Chikkaballapur districts.
"Various departments, including the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), should provide their clearances for the project before the final plans can be approved. It will involve a series of queries from the departments," TOI quoted a senior official from the tourism department as saying.
The required approvals are expected within the next couple of months, following which the civil work will begin. "We have allotted 1.5 years' time to the company for the completion of the work once it begins," the official added.
The idea of a ropeway at Nandi Hills has existed for several decades but faced multiple delays due to land acquisition issues and environmental clearances. However, the current developments mark a significant push toward implementation.
Once operational, the cable car system will feature 50 semi-closed cabins offering panoramic views as they travel between the two terminals. The lower terminal will include parking for over 200 cars, 110 two-wheelers, as well as buses and vans. It will also have a waiting area for up to 600 people.
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