Sullia: The Sullia court issued a warrant against Congress leader DK Shivakumar for failing to appear before court. despite the various summons issued to him in connection with a 2016 case, while the former was serving as the energy minister for the state.

The court judge, it is gathered has issued notice to the inspector general and director general of police to produce Shivakumar in the court for the next hearing scheduled on September 29.

In February 2016, the Congress leader – through the Mescom officials – filed a police complaint that Sai Giridhar Rai, former president of Bellare Merchants Association had issued a life threat and stopped them from discharging their duties.

This was following a heated exchange of words between DK Shivakumar and Rao over the power crisis in his village. An enraged Rai is said to have used abusive words against the minister and Mescom officials.

Acting on the complaint, the police had arrested Rai from his residence at midnight after scaling the roof as the latter refused to open the door.

DK Shivakumar was listed as witness in the case. Taking objection to his non-appearance in the hearing, despite the summons served to the minister, the court judge issued a warrant again for the presence of Shivakumar in this case.