Warrant against Azharrudin in cheque bounce case

New Delhi, Mar 1 (PTI): A Delhi court on Thursday issued a fresh non-bailable warrant (NBW) against cricketer-turned Congress Member of Parliament Mohd Azharuddin after he failed to appear before it in connection with a cheque bounce case. Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Vikrant Vaid issued NBW against the former Indian captain for March 7 after he failed to appear before it in pursuance of the earlier NBW issued on February 18. The court issued the NBW, dismissing an application for exemption from personal appearance to Azhar. The application was filed by Azhar's counsel, who said his client was busy with the election campaigning in the ongoing UP assembly polls. "The application for exemption from personal appearance is dismissed," the magistrate said. On the earlier date of hearing, the magisterial court had issued NBW against Azhar for March 1, after he repeatedly failed to appear before it in connection with a cheque bounce case. The court on that date also had rejected Azhar's plea for exemption from personal appearance on the ground that he was busy with election campaigning in the UP assembly elections. According to the complaint against Azhar, he wanted to sell his Mumbai-based property worth around Rs 4.5 crore, jointly owned by him and his estranged wife Sangeeta Bijlani. The complainant, Sanjay Solanki, a Delhi-based businessman, approached Azhar to purchase the property and the deal was finalised after which Solanki paid Rs 1.5 crore in advance to Azhar. But after some time, due to some marital dispute, Azhar refused to sell the property and agreed to pay the money back to Solanki. Azhar issued a cheque of Rs 1.5 crore to Solanki in 2008 but it was dishonoured by the bank, the complainant said. Solanki approached Azhar again after which the MP issued a fresh cheque to him in 2009. The second cheque too was dishonoured following which Azhar apologised to Solanki and issued another cheque in 2010, which too was dishonoured by the bank, Solanki said, adding he then approached a court here.