Gali Janardhan Reddy’s crazy rich life: India’s ‘mining king’ was ‘obsessed’ with gold and even sits on a diamond-encrusted throne
- The former politician and mining tycoon made headlines after splashing a reported US$75 million on his daughter Brahmani’s wedding to Rajeev Reddy
- An indoor swimming pool, massage parlour, home theatre and bomb shelter were among the luxury amenities discovered when police raided Reddy’s home in 2011
From powerful politician to shamed mining tycoon, Gali Janardhan Reddy’s gilded existence and larger-than-life exploits have captured the attention of millions over the past decade.
Even when sitting in jail after his arrest in connection with illegal mining allegations, Reddy still held massive influence. His extravagant lifestyle captured the imaginations of the entire nation of India – spending millions on his daughter’s wedding, becoming “obsessed” with gold and even boasting his own gold throne.
Here’s a look at his crazy rich life.
What you need to know about his jail time
Reddy is a former high-ranking politician and mining magnate who spent three years in jail after allegedly running a multimillion dollar mining Ponzi scheme, according to Times of India. Specifically, he was accused of illegally mining iron ore in the Bellary (known as Ballari) district of Karnataka in India. He has always maintained his innocence.
In 2015, Reddy was released on bail but there were strict conditions attached, including not being able to enter certain areas such as Ballari.
In April 2021, Reddy appealed to the Supreme Court of India to relax his bail conditions, according to The Hindu, citing a six-year delay in his trial. The publication reported that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the move, believing Reddy was involved in a “notorious mining scam” and that his return to Ballari would hinder the trial.
India Today reports Reddy is known as the “Ballari King” because of his extravagant lifestyle before his arrest.