A court in Chennai on Tuesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam chief Vijayakanth after he did not appear for the hearing in a case related to the alleged assault of a journalist in 2012.

The actor-turned-politician failed to appear before the court twice – once on November 16, when the court began to hear the case, and again on Tuesday. The bench will hear the matter next on February 13, PTI reported.

Vijayakanth’s counsel said he could not come to the court as he was in Singapore for a medical check-up. The magistrate refused to accept the submission and issued the warrant.

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A case was filed against Vijayakanth and then legislator Murugan in 2012 for allegedly attempting to hit Tamil television reporter M Balasubramaniam during a press briefing at the Chennai airport.

“The case has been pending for five years in court, and now a new judge has taken it up,” Balasubramaniam told The News Minute. “He [Vijayakanth] abused me and my family, and I was pushed to the ground, as well.”

A judicial magistrate court had granted both Vijayakanth and Murugan bail. It resumed hearing the matter on November 16.