Akbaruddin Moves AP High Court

MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi has filed a writ petition at AP High Court requesting a stay on his imminent arrest and on further FIRs filed against him with respect to allegations of anti-Hindu speeches made by him. The petition has been admitted, and is likely to be taken up on 9 January.

The MLA was directed to appear before the police at Nirmal, Adilabad, today immediately after his arrival from London, where he had gone for health reasons. Akbaruddin, who arrived early this morning, was greeted by hundreds of followers who turned his arrival into a procession of sorts. Upon his return, though, he requested a four-day grace period, again citing ill-health as the reason.

Heavy criticism is being rained down on the police and the Congress-led state government from other political parties, social activists, and the general public, for not having arrested Owaisi immediately.

The section 144 imposed in Nirmal in anticipation of Akbaruddin's arrival is likely to stay through the day.