The Telangana High Court had exonerated IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi in 2022.
In a significant reversal, the Supreme Court has scrapped the Telangana High Court’s 2022 verdict that absolved IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi in the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) case. The apex court has ordered a fresh investigation into her alleged involvement, directing authorities to complete the probe within three months.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the new inquiry must be conducted independently, without being influenced by the High Court’s earlier decision to discharge her. This ruling reignites the legal battle against the senior bureaucrat, putting her role in the high-profile mining controversy under renewed scrutiny.
Case Background
The OMC scam, which involves illegal mining and irregularities in Andhra Pradesh, has been a long-standing legal and political issue. In 2022, the Telangana High Court quashed the case against Srilakshmi, clearing her of all charges. However, the Supreme Court has now overturned that decision, calling for a comprehensive re-examination of her alleged role.
What Next?
With the Supreme Court’s directive, investigative agencies will have to revisit the evidence and conduct a time-bound probe. The ruling marks a crucial turn in the case, which has drawn widespread attention due to its implications for bureaucratic accountability and natural resource governance.
The fresh inquiry could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Srilakshmi but also for other officials linked to the decade-old mining scandal. Legal experts suggest this order reinforces the judiciary’s stance on ensuring thorough investigations in cases of alleged corruption.
As the probe resumes, all eyes will be on how the investigation unfolds and whether it brings new revelations in one of South India’s most contentious mining controversies.
