G Janardhana Reddy | Photo Credit: BCCL

Bengaluru: BJP leader and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy was arrested by the Central Crime Branch of the Bengaluru on Sunday, in connection with Ambident Group bribery case. His arrest came after he appeared for questioning at the Crime Branch office in the city on Saturday, and was subsequently grilled for hours. Former Karnataka minister Reddy, who had been 'missing' for the last few days, has been under the scanner for his involvement in the Rs 18 crores alleged bribe to Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials. Reddy has also been sent to judicial custody till November 24.

Addressing reporters after Reddy's arrest, Alok Kumar, Additional CP, Central Crime Branch, said, "We have taken the decision to arrest him on the basis of credible evidence and witnesses statements. We will produce him before the magistrate. We are going to recover the money and give it to the investors." According to news agency ANI, Bengaluru Central Crime Branch has also arrested Ali Khan, a close aide of the mining baron.

"Today Janardhan Reddy was produced before the Judge & the Court was pleased to accept our bail application on record. Judge has granted time till tomorrow to file objection on the main bail application & the application will be taken tomorrow," Janardhan Reddy's Lawyer was quoted as saying.

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We have taken the decision to arrest him on the basis of credible evidence and witnesses statements. We will produce him before the magistrate. We are going to recover the money & give it to the investors: Alok Kumar, Additional CP, Central Crime Branch, #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/0MvDauU8mO — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

Reddy had been absconding after the CCB had issued a notice to him and Khan, asking the two to appear before it for questioning on Sunday in connection with the probe. Prior to his appearance at the CCB office, Reddy had released a video on Saturday, rubbishing claims that he was on the runs and rejecting corruption allegations leveled against him. Ponzi scheme case: After releasing video, ‘missing’ BJP leader Janardhana Reddy reaches crime branch office

"Baseless accusations are being made against me and because of these rumours, I am voluntarily recording a video message to put all the facts before you. Reports of me hiding in Hyderabad or some other places are false. I have been in Bengaluru all this while. I don't know if I should laugh or cry," Reddy said in the video in which he appeared along with his lawyer.

As per the probe by the CCB, Reddy and his aide had received 57 kg gold, worth Rs 18 crores, from Ambident marketing in order to purportedly bribe ED officials to not prosecute its promoter Syed Ahmed Fareed. The money was allegedly paid to Reddy's close aide. The Ambident Group is already being probed for allegedly duping hundreds of investors and a Rs 600-crores fraud case has been registered against it.