Tapal Ganesh and Tapal Ekambaram, the legal representatives of late T. Narayana Reddy, have submitted a representation to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted under the directions of the Supreme Court, seeking a fresh examination of the categorisation of Mining Lease (ML) No. 2527 at Tumati village in Sandur taluk of Ballari district and its reclassification from Category ‘B’ to Category ‘A’.

The representation, submitted by Tapal Ekambaram and Tapal Ganesh, contends that the present categorisation in CEC Report No. 27 of 2025 was made without fully considering subsequent official records, Forest Department communications, inter-State boundary demarcation and later directions of the Supreme Court. The petitioners have requested a comprehensive reconsideration of the lease classification.

According to the documents, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change forwarded the representation to the Karnataka Department of Mines and Geology for appropriate action. Subsequently, the department informed the State government that the issues raised fall within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court-appointed CEC and recommended forwarding the representation to the committee headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia (Retd.).

The representation also refers to communications issued by the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Ballari, and the Chief Conservator of Forests, Ballari Circle, stating that the petitioners’ representations were examined and that the matter warranted verification before being placed before higher authorities.

The petitioners have further requested that the CEC consider earlier Forest Department reports, official records of the Department of Mines and Geology, and subsequent government communications while deciding the categorisation of the mining lease.

Separately, the representation refers to alleged illegal extraction of iron ore by Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) and seeks recovery of ₹884 crore from the company and its group entities. It cites findings recorded in the judgment delivered by the Principal Special Judge for CBI Cases, Hyderabad, as well as subsequent official communications, in support of its prayers.

Photo suggestion: any file photo reflecting the mining in Ballari/ Bellary could be used.