Davangere, Mar 10 (DHNS) : The Honnali JMFC Court Judge has issued arrest warrant to nine persons, including Excise Minister M P Renukacharya, in connection with violation of election of code of conduct, by distributing sarees to woo voters during the 2008 Legislative Assembly polls.

According to sources, the court issued the arrest warrant, following failure of the minister and the other eight persons to respond to the proceedings of the court. Additional third Civil Judge Annegowda  Patil issued a warrant in this regard. 

Honnali police had seized 3,175 sarees at the local parcel office on April 15, 2008 and had registered the case. RMC yard police had also seized a tempo trax, a car, a van and sarees worth Rs 4,61,882. The police had arrested three persons in this regard.

During interrogation, the trio revealed the involvement of the then BJP candidate M P Renukacharya in the distribution of sarees. The then police had submitted the charge sheet against nine persons.

Cases were filed against seven truck drivers, owner of the truck and Minister MP Renukacharya for violating the election code of conduct. The case will be taken up for further hearing on March 11.