Telangana High Court Stays Conviction of Karnataka MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy in Illegal Mining Case

By Abhishek Jat, Advocate

Hyderabad, June 23, 2025- In a notable judicial development, the Telangana High Court has intervened in the conviction of Gali Janardhan Reddy, a prominent Karnataka legislator, who was recently found guilty in a major illegal mining case. The court, presided over by Justice K. Lakshman, responded to Reddy’s plea to suspend his conviction and sentence, which had been handed down by the Principal Special Judge for CBI Cases in Hyderabad on May 6, 2025. This intervention came after Reddy argued that without such relief, he would face immediate disqualification from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, thus losing his right to represent his constituency and participate in the impending by-election.

The case, formally titled Gali Janardhan Reddy v. State of Telangana (2025 SCC OnLine TS 301), revolves around allegations of extensive illegal extraction and export of iron ore, with the CBI asserting that Reddy’s actions resulted in significant financial losses to the state exchequer. The trial court had imposed a seven-year prison term and substantial fines on Reddy and several associates, while also penalizing the mining company involved. However, the High Court, considering the unique circumstances and the potential for irreversible consequences if the conviction were not stayed, opted to grant interim relief.

Justice Lakshman’s order was grounded in the principle that appellate courts possess the discretion to suspend convictions in cases where immediate enforcement would inflict disproportionate harm, particularly when political rights and public representation are at stake. The court recognized that the loss of legislative membership and the inability to contest elections could not be remedied if Reddy’s appeal were to eventually succeed. Drawing upon established legal precedents, the court concluded that a stay on the conviction was warranted until the appeals process is complete.

As a result of this ruling, Reddy’s eligibility to serve as an MLA and to contest in forthcoming elections has been temporarily restored, pending the final outcome of his appeal. The case highlights the delicate balance courts must maintain between upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the rights of individuals, especially those in public office, are not unduly prejudiced before the appellate process is exhausted. This decision is likely to have significant implications for similar cases where criminal convictions intersect with political careers and public service.