G Janardhana Reddy disqualified from Karnataka Assembly after conviction in mining case

G Janardhana Reddy, a BJP leader and former minister, has been disqualified from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly following his conviction in a long-pending illegal iron ore mining case. The disqualification was officially notified by the Karnataka Assembly and pertains to his position as MLA from the Gangavathi constituency.

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Om May 6, 2025, a special CBI court in Hyderabad found Reddy and three others guilty in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) case after a legal battle lasting nearly 14 years. The court sentenced all four to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on each. The company itself was fined Rs 1 lakh. Following the sentencing, Reddy was taken into custody and sent to prison.

As per Article 191 (1)(e) of the Constitution and Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Reddy’s disqualification is effective from the date of conviction and will continue for six years after his release, unless overturned by a higher court. His removal has created a vacancy in the Karnataka Assembly.

Reddy, once a powerful BJP leader from Ballari, had formed his own party, the Kalyana Rajya Pragati Paksha (KRPP), before the 2023 Assembly polls and won from Gangavathi. However, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he dissolved KRPP and rejoined BJP.