India’s Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a former politician who is a mining baron in India’s mineral-rich Karnataka state.
Federal agents arrested G. Janardhana Reddy early Monday. The agents also arrested Reddy’s cousin, Srinivas Reddy, managing director of the family-run Obulapuram mining company.
Officials say the men were arrested on charges of illegal mining in the state of Andhra Pradesh where the Reddy’s mining company operates.
Multi-billion dollar corruption scandals in telecommunications, sports and mining have dominated the political agenda in India for more than a year, triggering massive protests.
A near-two week hunger strike by 74-year-old social activist Anna Hazare brought India to a standstill last month and forced parliament to agree to tougher anti-graft legislation.