The Karnataka high court on Wednesday granted conditional bail in two cases to Tamil activist Kolathur Mani, who forest brigand Veerappan had demanded as emissary during the Nagappa kidnap crisis.

Justice K Bhaktavatsala passed the order on two petitions filed by Mani, charged under the Indian Arms Act and Karnataka Forest Act and for allegedly taking part in a 'criminal conspiracy' with Veerappan.

A lower Mysore court had earlier denied him bail.