Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Asim Azmi

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Asim Azmi will not appear before the investigation officer today as directed by the court, citing that he is currently out of the country, police officials said on Tuesday.
According to officials, Azmi is expected to return in two days.
The court had earlier ordered him to present himself for investigation regarding his controversial statement on Aurangzeb.
Pre-arrest bail to Azmi in Aurangzeb remarks case
A sessions court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi after a criminal case was registered against him for remarks eulogising Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
The first informant, a writer-director and also a Shiv Sena member, had alleged by praising Aurangzeb and making other comments, Azmi had hurt religious sentiments of the Hindu community, and defamed the ruling political party.
Azmi’s lawyer Mubin Solkar submitted the FIR did not disclose any offence, and the allegations did not show he had made the statements, deliberately and with malicious intentions of outraging religious sentiments.
Allowing the plea, the judge said, “He shall be released on executing bond of Rs 20,000 with solvent surety of like amount subject to following condition… Applicant shall not tamper with evidence and appear before investigating officer between 11am to 1pm on March 12, 13 and 15.”