Don't arrest HD Kumaraswamy till June 20: Karnataka High Court tells SIT

Bengaluru: In a breather for former chief minister and Janata Dal (S) state chief H. D. Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday has asked the Lokayukta's Special Investigation Team (SIT) not to arrest him till June 20.

Justice Rathnakala, who heard the anticipatory bail petition of Mr Kumaraswamy in connection with Janthakal mining case, has also ordered notice to SIT while asking it to file objections, if any, in the matter.

Earlier, Mr Kumaraswamy’s advocate Hashmath Pasha had argued that the allegations of putting pressure on the IAS officer was baseless. Similar allegations were made against Mr Kumaraswamy in two separate cases of which one case has been struck down by the High Court, and bail has been granted in another case, the advocate argued.

He also stressed that the allegation was politically motivated, as Mr Kumaraswamy is the leader of a prominent political party in the state.

Further, it was submitted that he had appeared before the SIT after it had issued notice to him in May. However, the lower court refused to grant bail, the advocate argued, pressing the court for grant bail, as Mr Kumaraswamy has been named as one of the accused in the matter.

Mr Kumaraswamy has been accused of putting pressure on IAS officer Ganga Ram Baderiya, when the former was the 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.