Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim for not appearing before it in a false affidavit case.

The legislator didn't appear before the court during examination of witness and sought more time for appearance.

Expressing dissatisfaction, the High Court said it will delay the process and imposed Rs 10,000 fine on the MLA.

The court directed him to deposit the fine amount in Advocates' Welfare Fund by Monday.

The court also ordered him to appear before it during the next hearing on August 11.

Notably, an election petition was filed by BJD leader Debashish Samantaray challenging Moquim’s election to the State Assembly from Barabati-Cuttack constituency in 2019.

Samantaray had filed the petition challenging the election of Moquim alleging that the MLA suppressed facts with respect to the criminal cases pending against the legislator while filing nomination papers.