Bengaluru: The Additional City Civil and Sessions Court on Wednesday granted interim anticipatory bail to former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy (HDK) in Janatakal illegal mining case being probed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The Court granted conditional interim bail to Kumaraswamy directing him to appear before the Investigating Officer whenever he is summoned and also not to travel outside the country.

HDK had applied for interim anticipatory bail after the SIT arrested IAS Officer Gangaram Baderiya for illegally granting permission in favour of Chitradurga-based Jantakal Enterprises to lift iron ore. The SIT had issued notice to Kumaraswamy to appear before the Investigating Office on Wednesday morning at 10 am. Kumaraswamy’s bail application came up for hearing before the 53rd Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge Vanamala.

Special Public Prosecutor P. Govindan, appearing for the SIT, requested the Court to hear the merits of the case and then pass the orders on the interim anticipatory bail application.

Senior Counsel Hasmath Pasha, appearing for the applicant, contended that the SIT had intentions of arresting Kumaraswamy.

The Court after hearing the arguments from both the sides, granted interim anticipatory bail to Kumaraswamy till May 23 and directed the SIT to file objections on the anticipatory bail application on that day.