In a temporary relief to former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) not to arrest him till next date of hearing on his plea seeking anticipatory bail in the Janthakal Enterprises mining case.
Justice Rathnakala passed the interim order after Mr. Kumaraswamy's counsel expressed apprehension that the SIT could arrest Mr. Kumaraswamy after the Special Lokayukta Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail on Tuesday.
The High Court adjourned further hearing till next week, while asking the SIT to file its objection.
In the Janthakal mining case, the SIT had arrested senior bureaucrat Gangaram Baderiya and recorded the statement of Mr. Kumaraswamy as a witness. However, it later changed stance and named him as accused in the case, prompting him to seek anticipatory bail.