A Delhi court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) in the name of Bigg Boss 10 contestant Omji Maharaj, directing the controversial figure to appear before it on December 3 in connection with a case of theft. The case had been lodged by his brother Pramod Jha, and the NBW has been issued because he has reportedly not appeared before court despite repeated summons.
The court direction to appear before it on December 3 may interfere with the reality TV show hosted by Bollywood star Salman Khan, because Maharaj — popularly referred to as Swami or Om Swami — is currently within the house, and as per the rules of the game, cannot leave unless he is voted out.
According to a PTI report, the court has summoned the Bigg Boss contestant, whose real name is Vinodanand Jha, because he has forfeited both his bail bond and security bond. The NBW has been issued by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satish Kumar Arora. The case is from 2008, with Om Swami being accused of stealing bicycles and important legal documents from his brother's bicycle shop.
The PTI report quoted the judge as saying: "Despite repeated calls, the accused has failed to turn up. Perusal of the file reflects that vide order dated October 14, 2016, as the accused remained absent, NBWs were directed to be issued against the accused for November 8, 2016."
That NBW was stayed as those representing Om Swami managed to let the court show him some leniency by letting the reality show contestant appear before it on November 21. However, because he failed to do so, the court has issued this fresh NBW and asked him to appear before it on December 3.
The court observed: "On an application for restoration of surety preferred by Mukesh Jain for the accused, NBWs were stayed vide proceedings dated November 2, with directions to the accused to appear on November 8 again, but he was absent and his surety with counsel appeared and preferred an application seeking exemption from personal appearance which was allowed with cost and with directions to the accused to positively remain present for this day."
It also said: "In view of the above and seeing the conduct of the accused, his bail bond and surety bond are forfeited and NBWs are directed to be hereby issued against him with notice to his surety through DCP Crime for December 3."
