A close associate of mining baron and former minister G Janardhana Reddy has been arrested by the CBI in connection with illegal iron ore export from the Belekeri port in Karwar.

KV Nagaraj alias Swastik Nagaraj, was arrested on Thursday in Bellary, was produced before the CBI court on Friday, which remanded him in police custody till March 8.

He has been charged under various IPC sections and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 besides Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1963 and section 24 of the Karnataka Forest Act 1963.

Under a Supreme Court directive, the CBI is investigating illegal export of iron ore.