IAS officer Srilakshmi, who has been named as fourth accused in the illegal mining case involving the former Karnataka minister Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy, today appeared before the CBI at its Koti office in Hyderabad in connection with the case. She has been questioned for nearly nine hours and was let off with orders to come tomorrow again for questioning.

According to highly placed sources, Srilakshmi is likely to turn approver in the case. If the CBI agrees for her request to turn approver, her name may be finally removed as an accused with the permission of the court. This will also make the job of the CBI officials easier in closing the investigation in the case and preparing the charge sheet at top speed with in the stipulated period of 90 days.

Special investigating officer and additional SP Mr RM Khan has been grilling her for her involvement in granting mining leases to the OMC owned by Gali brothers. Srilakshmi also played a key role in linking the OMC mines to Brahamani Steels owned by Gali. She has been on leave for the last one week on health grounds and CBI officials called her as soon as she returned to Hyderabad today.