MUMBAI: The Mumbai Police on Wednesday moved a local court and got the suspended Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, Ashok Khot, declared an absconder.

Mr. Khot, who was sentenced to a month's imprisonment by the Supreme Court along with the former Transport Minister, Surupsingh Naik, had promised the State Director-General of Police, P.S. Pasricha, over phone on Tuesday that he would surrender on Wednesday.

Deadline expired

But, instead of appearing before the police, the IAS officer even switched off his cell phone, leaving the police no option but to move the court as his deadline expired.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil, who holds the Home portfolio, had warned that his property could be attached.

A Mumbai Police team is in Delhi to trace Mr. Khot.

The court's proclamation enables them to call upon their counterparts throughout the country to arrest him.

Mr. Naik surrendered and went to jail last Saturday, the day after the Supreme Court rejected his petition for leniency.

"Will exhaust legal remedies"

Mr. Khot had said that he would exhaust all legal remedies available to him before surrendering.

The duo had attracted the contempt proceedings and conviction for ignoring the Supreme Court order asking them not to permit saw mills in forest areas. Mr. Khot was the Forest Secretary and Mr. Naik the Minister.

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