Date:15/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/15/stories/2008111554100400.htm

Karnataka

Non-bailable warrant against Asnotikar

Correspondent

Karwar: A non-bailable warrant has been issued against Fisheries and Science and Technology Minister Anand Asnotikar by the Chief Judicial Magistrate court, Karwar.

Advocates from Bangalore M.B. Naragunda and Ashok Desai, who appeared on behalf of the Minister, pleaded for his exemption from personal appearance in the court. They argued that under the Cr.PC section 205, a public representative could be given exemption from appearing personally. They said the Minister was extremely busy and could not appear in the court.

The court adjourned the case to 3 p.m.. After hearing the arguments, Chief Judicial Magistrate B.T. Chinal issued a non-bailable warrant against the Minister and asked the Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police to produce him in the court before November 28. The court said the Minister was given sufficient time and a warrant was issued long back. But he did not appear.

The Minister is facing the charges of concealing details of his assets in an affidavit filed by him to the returning officer during the last Assembly elections.

The Returning Officer had conducted an inquiry in this regard after a complaint from Vishawambhar Talker and held the Minister guilty of filing a wrong affidavit. The State Election Commission had directed the Deputy Commissioner, Uttara Kannada, to file a criminal case against Mr. Asnotikar in this regard. The tahsildar, Karwar, had filed a criminal case against the Minister in Karwar court.