’I don’t disrespect the court of law’

Says Tourism Minister Janardana Reddy over his avoiding 20 court summons and 7 non-bailable warrants in a criminal case registered against him

'I don't disrespect the court of law'

Says Tourism Minister Janardana Reddy over his avoiding 20 court summons and 7 non-bailable warrants in a criminal case registered against him

The BJP is abuzz with talks of G Janardana Reddy not honouring court summons and evading non-bailable arrest warrants in criminal cases. The minister has never turned up in court in a criminal case registered against him at the Sandur court, despite more than 20 summons. So far, the court has issued seven non-bailable warrants (NBW).

No time: In his defence, Reddy says he has been really busy, but his
lawyers have always represented him.u00a0 File pic

Tapal Narayana Reddy, a mine owner in Sandur in Bellary, had registered a case against four persons, including Janardana Reddy, in 2006, complaining of encroaching his mining lease boundary under Section 434.

Breaker
While the case was registered in the Sandur JMFC, on September 13,u00a0 2006, Reddy has not appeared even once before the court. "If somebody moves the high court in this regard it would be a great embarrassment for the government. Some people are already mulling over moving a PIL. Its high time he fell in line," said a senior BJP leader.

The court has heard the case for more than 20 times over four years and rejected Reddy's exemption petition several times, insisting on his presence. Interestingly, the police, who have to serve the summons and the warrant, came back stating that Reddy was not available, right when he was in the public limelight. "This shows that the police are colluding with him," said a senior lawyer.

While the opposition parties were attacking the BJP over the issue last year, Reddy wrote to the then home minister V S Acharya, asking for a withdrawal of the case. Following this, the state cabinet took a decision to close the case, despite dissent notes given by director of public prosecutor and the Director General and Inspector Generalu00a0 of police. Narayana has challenged the cabinet decision in the High Court and the case is pending.

BJP leaders wary
Opposition parties are planning to take up the issue, while they mull over a legal battle. BJP leaders from the Yeddyurappa camp are also urging the high command to put pressure on Janardana Reddy to bow down before the court.u00a0

However, Reddy seems to be adamant and is reportedly hatching a counter strategy to silence both the opposition parties and his detractors in the party. "I don't disrespect the court. I could not appear because I was busy elsewhere. But my lawyers have represented me. I will consult them for my next course of action," Janardana Reddy told MiD DAY.