The police arrested Govardhan Reddy after the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petitions.
Published May 26, 2025 | 2:10 PM ⚊ Updated May 26, 2025 | 2:10 PM
Kakani Govardhan Reddy. (Facebook)
Synopsis: The Andhra Pradesh Police arrested former state minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy over his alleged role in the illegal mining of quartz and feldspar, illegal transportation and unlawful use of explosives.
The Andhra Pradesh Police are questioning senior YSRCP leader and former state minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy on Monday, 26 May, after his arrest the previous day over his alleged role in the illegal mining of quartz and feldspar, illegal transportation and unlawful use of explosives.
The police arrested him on the outskirts of Bengaluru after months of evading authorities, prompting police to issue lookout notices at airports in April to prevent him from leaving the country. After his arrest, he was taken to Venkatachalam Primary Health Centre in the Nellore district for a medical checkup and was then taken to the Police Training Centre in Nellore, where he is being interrogated.
After knowing about Govardhan Reddy’s arrest, YSRCP cadres have been travelling to Venkatagiri, where he is expected to be produced in court. Police have beefed up security to prevent any breakdown of law and order following his arrest.
According to sources, four police teams had been looking for him in several states after he went incommunicado soon after a case was booked at Podalakur Police Station in Nellore district, in which he figures as A4.
The police had to go to great lengths to arrest him. After the police issued notices to him on 25 March, he disappeared into thin air, prompting the police to visit his residence in Nellore, where they could not find him.
Later, they visited his house in Hyderabad and other likely places where he may have holed up, but did not meet with any success.
The scam pertains to illegal quartz mining by Rustum Mines in Thoderu village in Podalakur mandal, in which he reportedly has stakes. An investigation by the Mines and Geology Department revealed that 61,313 metric tonnes of quartz were illegally extracted, causing a revenue loss of approximately ₹7.56 crore, including penalties. Authorities further allege that minerals worth over ₹250 crore were illegally exported.
His bête noire and TDP leader Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said: “Govardhan Reddy indulged in illegal mining, causing revenue loss to the state, and threatened local tribal communities into submission.” He was the first to expose the alleged scam in 2019.
The police arrested Govardhan Reddy after the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petitions.
The YSRCP has lashed out at the TDP for Govardhan Reddy’s arrest, calling it an act of vendetta against YSRCP leaders.
“This is an instance of factional politics being in full cry, harassing our leaders,” said former MLA Mekapati Vikram Reddy, adding that a joint inspection by the Mining Department found no irregularities in Rutum Mines, yet false charges have been added to target Kakani.”
The case was registered in February 2025 at the Podalakur Police Station based on a complaint by the Deputy Director of Mining. Three others named as accused in the case have been arrested, and notices have been issued to 12 others, including Govardhan Reddy’s son-in-law. The police also registered cases against Reddy under the Scheduled Caste SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly intimidating tribal communities near the mining site.
The arrest of Govardhan Reddy in the quartz scam is part of a broader crackdown on alleged irregularities during the YSRCP’s tenure, including a separate ₹3,200 crore liquor scam.
As investigations continue, the political fallout from Reddy’s arrest is expected to drive a wedge further deep between the TDP and YSRCP.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)