Janardhana Reddy's MLA seat safe, but no jail release yet despite court relief

Former Karnataka minister Janardhana Reddy has secured a major legal reprieve as the Telangana High Court stayed his 7-year prison sentence in the Obalapuram illegal mining case. However, despite the relief, Reddy remains behind bars at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara jail due to another pending case.

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

Reddy was earlier convicted by a CBI court in Hyderabad for illegal activities linked to the Obalapuram Mining Company. The High Court granted him bail and stayed the sentence, effectively safeguarding his position as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). The Telangana Assembly Secretary M.K. Vishalakshi, who had earlier informed the Election Commission about Reddy’s disqualification, is now expected to notify the EC that his MLA status remains intact.

Yet, Reddy’s release from prison is delayed due to his involvement in a separate case. The Bengaluru wing of the CBI is probing his role in the illegal iron ore exports through Belekeri port. On a body warrant, Reddy was transferred from Hyderabad’s Chanchalguda jail to Bengaluru and is currently lodged at Parappana Agrahara in connection with that case.

Officials confirm that unless Reddy secures bail in the Belekeri case, he cannot walk free. Legal experts suggest the road to release remains complicated despite the stay on his earlier conviction. Until then, Reddy's political future hangs in balance, though his Assembly seat remains safe for now.