Hyderabad court issues NBW to Digvijaya Singh

The Hyderabad Special court of people’s representatives has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for not appearing before it in connection with a defamation case filed against him in 2016.

A Special Court for Trial of Cases pending against MPs/MLAs issued the NBW against Singh after he failed to appear before it in connection with the defamation case filed against him by the AIMIM’s S.A. Hussain Anwar. He alleged that Digvijaya Singh had defamed AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, saying the Hyderabad MP’s party was contesting elections in other states for the sake of financial benefits.

Digvijaya alleged that Owaisi takes money from BJP and splits votes of Congress. Counsel for the petitioner, Mohammed Asif Amjad, said they had sent legal notices to both Digvijaya Singh and the Editor of an Urdu daily, which carried the article, seeking an apology and subsequently moved the court as they failed to respond.

During the last date of hearing, the court had directed that Digvijaya Singh and the Editor be present before it on February 22. The Editor did so, but Singh failed to appear before the court, he said. Digvijaya Singh’s counsel had filed a petition, seeking exemption from appearance on medical grounds, but the court dismissed it and issued the NBW, Asif Amjad said.

The court posted the matter to 8 March. Singh’s counsel said they have already filed a stay extension petition before the High Court to quash the proceedings.