Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is facing charges in Janthakal Mining case, was granted interim relief by the High Court this morning as the hearing of Kumaraswamy’s  anticipatory bail plea was adjourned to June 19 (Monday), the day fixed for the final hearing.

The High Court Single Bench also ordered the Special Investigating Team (SIT) not to arrest Kumaraswamy until the final hearing was completed. Single Bench headed Justice Ratnakala has also asked the SIT to file objection, if any, by June 19.

The Special Lokayukta Court had dismissed his anticipatory bail plea in the Janthakal Enterprises mining case on Tuesday raising fears of his arrest.

Former Minister G. Janardhan Reddy, following a notice from SIT to submit evidence, on Tuesday submitted evidence against him in the Rs. 150 crore bribery scandal of 2006 that had then rocked the BJP-JD(S) coalition government.

Reddy had then alleged that Kumaraswamy had taken a bribe of Rs. 150 crore from mining barons in Ballari. However, Reddy had failed to provide any evidence then and no probe was conducted. The Apex Court ordered for a probe after a petition was filed by T.J. Abraham.

SIT had recorded the statement of Kumaraswamy as a witness and had also arrested senior bureaucrat Gangaram Baderiya with respect to the case. Later, the SIT changed its stance and named him as accused in the case, which prompted H.D. Kumaraswamy to seek anticipatory bail.