Hyderabad: The XIIth additional chief metropolitan magistrate of Hyderabad on Tuesday allowed an application filed by counsel for Union minister Y. Sujana Chowdary, seeking his exemption from personally appearing before the court in connection with a case pending against Sujana Universal Industries Ltd based on a complaint from Mauritius Commercial Bank.
Earlier, magistrate Daniel Ruth had ordered Mr Chowdary, a non-executive director of Sujana Industries to personally appear before the court on March 22, along with the firm’s MD G. Srinavasa Raju and director Hanumantha Rao.
It may be recalled that the bank had moved a plea before the court for recovery of Rs 106 crore, stating that the company stood as guarantor for the loan which was availed for Mauritius-based Hestia Holdings Ltd, the firm’s subsidiary.
Mr Raju and Mr Rao appeared before the court while counsel for Mr Chowdary moved the application seeking exemption for him on the ground that he, being an MP, was busy with urgent work in Delhi, and hence could not personally appear before the court.
The magistrate said the urgent work would not be a ground to seek exemption and asked counsel to mention in his application that Parliament was in session. When counsel complied, the magistrate allowed the application.
At this juncture Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, counsel for Mauritius Commercial Bank, opposed the application of the minister and sought a non-bailable warrant against the minister.
The magistrate said the fact that Mr Chowdary is an MP cannot be denied and asked counsel for the Union minister and the two others to arrange for two personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each by the next date of hearing and ensure their presence as and when required.
