Srilakshmis arrest imminent

HYDERABAD: The arrest of senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi appears more or less certain after officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation grilled her for nine long hours at the CBI’s office at Koti here on Thursday.The chances of her turning an approver cannot be ruled out completely as she is understood to have put forth the ‘proposal’ before the agency.Sources described this development as significant and perhaps the final round of questioning.Contrary to reports that the CBI would seek permission from the department of personnel and training (DoPT) before arresting her, officials said the CBI needed DoPT’s permission only to prosecute an IAS officer and not to arrest.Srilakshmi has been named as an accused for her alleged role in granting mining leases to the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) promoted by Gali Janardhan Reddy.Around 11 am, a tense Srilakshmi got out of her car and quickly walked into the CBI office.She came out of the office only around 8 p.m.appearing equally disturbed and hurriedly left the place.CBI officials confronted Rajagopal and Srilakshmi during which the sleuths reportedly came across contradictions in Srilakshmi’s version.Sources said that the IAS officer was questioned about her role in granting mining leases to OMC and to some questions, she reportedly blamed YS Rajasekhara Reddy, saying ‘’all instructions came from him.’’ While CBI joint director VV Lakshminarayana questioned her, the entire proceeding was videographed, which is normally done to ensure that the accused does not make any sort of allegations against the investigating agency.Sources said that Srilakshmi continued to defend her actions of granting mining leases, by reportedly saying she was ‘’simply ordered to sign on the files.’’ The CBI believes that both Srilakshmi and Rajagopal allegedly received huge kickbacks for granting the mining leases.