Bangalore, Jan 20 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Friday declined comment on the Karnataka High Court allowing probe into allegations that he had de-reserved large forest area for mining when he was the chief minister in 1999-2004.

Asked what his stand will be if the opposition seeks his resignation, Krishna shot back: “We will cross it when such a demand is made.”

“My lawyers will look into details of the judgment, and take appropriate action,” he told reporters shortly after the court ruling.

Asked if the ruling was a setback, Krishna said. “Unless I see the full judgment, I would not be in a position to comment.”

Justice N. Ananda of the Karnataka High Court Friday partly rejected Krishna’s plea to quash the case against him registered by police on the orders of the Lokayukta (ombudsman) court.

Justice Ananda allowed the police to probe charges of de-reservation of large forest areas in iron ore rich Bellary district, 300 km north of Bangalore and other places.

However, the judge rejected a probe into charges that some of Krishna’s actions had caused loss to the Karnataka government undertaking of Mysore Minerals Ltd.

The complaint against Krishna has been filed by a Bangalore businessman T.J. Abraham.