Bangalore : The CBI, probing illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh, today arrested former Karnataka Minister and BJP leader G Janardhana Reddy from his residence in Bellary, about 350 km from here, for his alleged involvement in illegal mining.

This is the first high profile arrest made by the CBI which has taken up probe against illegal mining after being asked by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

Soon after the arrest, Mr Reddy was whisked away by the CBI sleuths to Hyderabad.

The raid was led by CBI DIG Lakshminarayan, who is heading the probe.

The Supreme Court had taken the issue of illegal mining very seriously and appointed Central Empowered Committee to probe illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The CEC had ‘exposed’ involvement of Mr Reddy, one of the two powerful Reddy brothers from Bellary, and others in illegal mining in the bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.