Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court is likely to hear the bail petition of former Chief Minister and Janata Dal (S) state chief H.D. Kumaraswamy, on Thursday.
After a lower court refused to grant him bail in Janthakal Mining case and fearing arrest, he has approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.
His bail petition has been listed before Justice Rathnakala, and the bench is likely to hear the petition on Thursday.
Mr Kumaraswamy has been summoned by the Lokayukta’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is looking into the case.
He has been accused of putting pressure on an IAS officer Ganga Ram Baderiya, while he was Chief Minister, to renew the mining lease of Janthakal Enterprises in violation of various norms.
The officer was arrested by SIT for allegedly receiving kickbacks to the tune of Rs 10 lakh from the mining company to renew its licence in 2007, when he was director of the Mines and Geology Department. Sources in SIT claim investigation has revealed the mining company had deposited the money into the bank account of his son, Gagan Baderiya. It is alleged that not only was the company’s mining lease renewed in violation of regulations, but it was also unduly favoured in the grant of a work permit to lift its old dump in Holalkere taluk, Chitradurga district.
