Janthakal mining case: Further relief for HD Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday further extended its earlier order, directing Special Investigation Team (SIT) not to arrest former chief minister and JD (S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is accused of putting pressure on an IAS officer to renew the mining lease of Janthakal Enterprises in violation of various norms.

The court has adjourned the matter by two weeks while extending till then its earlier order directing SIT not to arrest Kumaraswamy.

Meanwhile, it was submitted before the court that Kumaraswamy has approached Supreme Court seeking to quash the case against, and SIT had sought time to get details of his plea before SC.

Earlier SIT had submitted that the custodial interrogation of Kumaraswamy is necessary in the case. The high court had made it clear to former chief minister that he shall appear before SIT if he is asked to appear before it in the matter.

It was also argued by the SIT advocate that Kumaraswamy had telephoned the IAS officer Ganga Ram Baderiya, directing him to renew the license of Janthakal Enterprises. The licence was renewed within two hours after the phone call, the SIT had argued.

Baderiya 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.

According to SIT sources, it is alleged that investigations have revealed that Baderiya had pressured his subordinates to renew the lease to the mining company. 

As a kickback, the company had paid him '10 lakh and the sum was deposited into the bank account of his son Gagan Baderiya, the SIT officials allege.

The case is related to the renewal of a mining lease and to grant work permit to lift the old dump in Holalkere taluk in Chitradurga district that belonged to Janthakal Enterprises.