Vishakapatnam: The court of Second Metropolitan Magistrate in Anakapalle on Wednesday issues a non-bailable arrest warrant against Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resources Development Ganta Srinivasa Rao for not appearing for trial in a case.

Ganta was supposed to attend the court on Wednesday in a case pertaining to violation of election code during his election in 2009. He was absent on several hearings earlier and the court pardoned it considering the reasons furnished by his advocate. However, the court had asked Mr Rao to appear in person without fail as the case was in an advanced stage of hearing. But the Minister just ignored the court's instructions.

Mr Rao contested for Anakapalle assembly constituency on a newly-formed Praja Rajyam Party (PPP) ticket and won the election. It was alleged that Srinivasa Rao distributed cricket kits and sarees to youngsters in Anakapalle Assembly segment region to lure voters. Based on complaints from several people, including the leaders and activists of Congress and TD, the election flying squads conducted a surprise raid and seized the cricket kits and sarees on April 3, 2009.

The second additional metropolitan magistrate JVS Satyanarayanamurthy issued a non-bailable warrant which can authorize the police to arrest the accused at any time to produce him before the court.

Anakapalle Town police registered a case against Ganta Srinivasa Rao under Section of 171 (E) of IPC and the case is posted to September 11. Superintendent of Police (Visakha Rural) Rahul Dev Sharma confirmed the NBW against minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao.