The First Additional Metropolitan Magistrate here asked the Secondary Education Minister to appear before it on October 29.
The complaint was lodged by Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) on instruction of the District Collector on September 28 seeking permission to prosecute the Congress leader for alleged violation of Representation of the People Act.
Enforcement Directorate had filed a case against Pardhasaradhi for alleged violation of Foreign Exchange Regulation Act in a Hyderabad Court. The case, in which the Court had awarded two-month jail term and imposed fine on the Minister a few months ago, had been pending since 1999. The lower court's order was later stayed by the Sessions Court.
According to the complaint, Pardhasaradhi did not mention about the pending FERA case while submitting his affidavit along with the nomination papers from Penamaluru Assembly constituency in the district in 2009.
This issue was brought to the notice of Election Commission (EC) by the District Collector. The poll panel then ordered the Collector to proceed legally against the Minister.
After hearing arguments of Government advocate and Pardhasaradhi's counsel, the Magistrate issued summons to the Minister.
Concealing facts in sworn affidavits court attract a jail term of up to six months or penalty, or both.
