The Supreme Court on Monday extended its interim order banning mining and transportation of iron ore by a company owned by the Reddy brothers, in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. <br/><br/>The Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice B S Chauhan decided to continue with its order last month after both the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Company preferred that the matter be heard by the Supreme Court instead of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Attorney General G E Vahanvati appearing for the Andhra Pradesh Government assailed the High Court order which allowed the mining activities despite the apex court appointedCEC and Government appointed three-member committee pointing out irregularities in the mining operation which was carried out by encroaching the forest area. <br/><br/>He said the committee criticised Karnataka minister G Janardhana Reddy and his brother for the illegal mining done by them in the Bellary reserve forest. He also submitted that the company had not allowed the carrying out of the survey in the area. Appearing for the Company, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi alleged that the private matter has been turned into a political battle. He said even the issue of survey, which has been raised, was not the order of the apex court. The Bench observed that the main allegation against the company was that it has exceeded the boundary line.