A Bhopal court has issued a bailable warrant against Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Sambit Patra. The warrant was issued on Thursday. Patra is accused of violating the model code of conduct during the Madhya Pradesh elections.

The warrant has been issued against Patra because he did not appear in court despite a summon for Thursday. The MP Police has also filed a chargesheet against Patra in the case.

Co-accused BJP leader SS Uppal appeared in court and was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 5,000.

Police registered a case against Patra and others on a complaint filed by the Election Commission.

What is the case?

On October 27, Patra held a press conference by the roadside in MP Nagar area in Bhopal, following which the Congress, which was then in the Opposition, filed a complaint of violation of the model code of conduct with the poll body.

EC officials said in the FIR that holding a press conference by blocking a road without due permissions was a violation of the poll code.

Organisers of the press conference had sought permission to hold it between 1 pm and 3 pm but held it earlier at 12 noon, which too was a violation, the EC had said.

The FIR did not have Patra's name initially. It was added later following a report from the returning officer.