Mumbai, Aug 12: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, sitting on a fast-unto-death at Azad Maidan here, today appeared before a local court in response to a summons issued against him in a defamation case filed by Maharashtra minister Padamsinh Patil. Hazare left the venue of the fast at 11.20 am and went to the court nearby to appear in the case.


The court had earlier issued notices to Hazare on a criminal complaint filed by the minister.

Hazare moved an application for permanent exemption and court had sought the reply from Patil's lawyer I P Bagadia. The matter was adjourned to October 7 by Magistrate A B Shelar.
Patil filed a case against Hazare after the social activist reportedly made allegations of corruptions against him and three other ministers.


According to Patil, Hazare had made a statement in Nanded that the four ministers were indulging in corrupt practices.
The four ministers implicated by Hazare are Padamsinh Patil, Vijay Gavit, Sureshdada Jain and Nawab Malik.

Patil alleged in the court that Hazare had defamed him by making baseless allegations thereby tarnishing his image and reputation in the eyes of public.

Bureau Report