K'taka court issues summons to BJP legislator

Bangalore, Aug 14 (UNI) The Additional District Civil and Session Court today ordered issuance of summons to suspended BJP legislator G Janardhana Reddy in the defamation case filed against him by the Karnataka government for leveling bribery charges against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Judge A L Pujar, who had admitted the case filed by the Special Public Prosecutor C H Hanumantharaya on behalf of the state government, said the charges made by the accused was serious in nature and ordered him to appear before the court on September four.

In his 10-page order, the judge instructed Mr Reddy to produce before the court all relevant documents and evidences to prove his charge that Mr Kumaraswamy and Forests Minister C Chennigappa had received a bribe of Rs 150 crore from the mining lobby in Bellary district.

Mr Hanumantharaya had argued that Mr Reddy had made such frivolous charges only to tarnish the image of Mr Kumaraswamy and his government.

UNI MV RG RKN1701