A division bench of the Hyderabad High Court directed for stoppage of mining operations in the land leased out to DK Snigdha Reddy, daughter of former minister and Congress MLA DK Aruna, at Mannapur village of Tharrur mandal in Mahabubnagar district.

The bench comprising justice Dilip B Bhosale and justice A Ramalingeswara Rao was passing these interim orders in a PIL  filed by B Krishna Mohan Reddy, ex-ZPTC member and social worker of Gadwal town, alleging illegal crushing operations by the family members of DK Aruna at Mannapur village.

The petitioner contended that the lease was issued for one hectare of land, but the quarrying operations were taking place in about 20 hectares in the village.

On an earlier occasion, the bench called for the report and the officers of the mining department, in their report, confirmed that the mining operations were taking place beyond the leased out area.

After perusing the report, the bench directed for stoppage of all mining operations in the said area until further orders. The government counsel informed the court that the department is also taking steps to impose penal action as provided under law. The matter was posted for further hearing to next Wednesday.

It may be recalled that the bench has earlier made it clear that the mines department would take appropriate action against her and the lease would also be cancelled if it is found that the respondent is carrying out quarrying operations outside the area allotted to her.