JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy, who is expected to play a major role in the ensuing Assembly polls, got anticipatory bail from a city court on Wednesday in the Janthakal illegal mining case in which a senior IAS officer Gangaram Baderiya was arrested recently. But Kumaraswamy’s worries are not over as the lokayukta Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating the case based on the Supreme Court orders, has summoned him to appear before them on May18.
Kumaraswamy blamed the ruling Congress Government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for targeting him. He said, “The Government machinery is working overtime to fix me. The anticipatory bail is for a period of seven days and it is an interim bail, which has been given to me by the judiciary. I have also been served a notice to appear before the SIT, and will do so on Thursday.”
“The SIT is filled with those from the State Government. And they are being ordered by the Government to ensure that I am behind bars for at least an hour, if not a day.”
Kumaraswamy claimed with 2018 elections round the corner, the Congress and the BJP are afraid of him being way ahead of the national parties in strengthening the JD(S) and posing a threat to them. “They know that I am ahead of them, in strengthening the JD(S) base. Hence, the intent to curtail and curb me by such cases. It will not succeed,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the 53rd City Civil Court granted relief to Kumaraswamy who had applied for the bail on Tuesday anticipating SIT issuing notice and possible arrest in connection with illegal iron ore transport by Janthakal Mining company.
Earlier during the hearing of the application, SIT advocate argued against granting the bail since investigation was yet to begin and if bail was granted, there is a possibility of Kumaraswamy not cooperating with the investigation and may influence the witnesses.