MP Speaker, ministers summoned in criminal case

Jabalpur, Apr 5 (UNI) A local court today dismissed a state government plea seeking withdrawal of a criminal case registered 22 years back against Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani, Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi, Fisheries Minister Moti Kashyap and 20 other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Rajeev Kamlendra summoned the accused on May 6.

According to prosecution, the BJP's local unit staged a demonstration in front of Belbagh Police Station on September 24, 1984 against alleged harassment of a businessman. Party workers pelted stones and manhandled personnel.

Warrants were issued last year and the accused declared absconders. Last November, Mr Rohani, Mr Vishnoi and Mr Kashyap appeared in court and sought exemption from personal appearance but that was denied.

UNI