Lucknow, November 21: Uttar Pradesh Congress unit chief Raj Babbar has landed in dock as a Special Court -- designated for fast-track hearings in cases involving politicians and lawmakers -- issued an arrest warrant against him.

The case against Babbar, a former Lok Sabha MP, dates back to over two decades ago. The actor-politician is accused of assaulting Election Commission officials inside a polling booth in Wazirganj on May 2, 1996.  UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya Surrenders in Poll Code Violation Case, Released on Bail.

Babbar, who was then the Samajwadi Party candidate from the constituency, had allegedly roughed up the Election Commission staff after accusing them of allowing invalid voters to cast their mandate.

While a police complaint was registered against Babbar immediately after the incident, the complaint record maintained by Wazirganj police station was lost -- leading to a delay in hearing till 2003. Raj Babbar Calls Maoists 'Revolutionary', Amit Shah Asks Rahul Gandhi to 'Clear Stand on Naxalism'.

The matter was put on fast-track recently, after the Union Law Ministry pushed for the setting-up of a Special Court to hear cases involving MLAs and MPs.

Babbar was summoned to attend the hearing scheduled by the court on Tuesday. As he failed to turn up, the bench was compelled to issue an arrest warrant against him. The proceedings in the case were adjourned till January 7, 2019.

Recently, the Special Court had issued a warrant against UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya in a poll code violation case. Maurya, after courting arrest on Friday, secured a bail immediately.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2018 01:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).