Hazare's lawyer Milind Pawar said that he had sought a temporary exemption for a day for not attending the proceedings as his client had gone to New Delhi for the Lokpal Bill panel's meeting. He added that Hazare was taking medical treatment in New Delhi. Meanwhile, the court has deferred the hearing on Hazare's plea seeking permanent exemption from attending the proceedings till July 12. Patil, in a private criminal complaint against Hazare, has alleged that Hazare had misused Rs 2.2 lakh from the funds of the Hind Swaraj Trust at Ralegan Siddhi to celebrate his 61st birthday in 2005. The complaint has been filed under sections 406 and 409 of the Indian Penal Code. During the last hearing, Hazare had denied that he had misused any funds, saying that he was against the idea of celebrating his birthday.

PANAJI: Anna Hazare will kick-start his nation-wide anti corruption tour from Goa on May 13. "Hazare who has recovered from a recent illness will address a public meeting at Azad Maidan at 5 pm, along with Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh, Arvind Kejariwal and Manish Sisodia," said advocate Satish Sonak who is the India against Corruption representative in Goa.

Sonak added that these social activists will also be addressing public meetings at various places in Goa on that day. Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejariwal will address public meetings at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao at 10.30am. Similarly, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia will address a meeting at Navewado, Vasco, at 3 pm.

These meetings will focus on the current development regarding the Jan Lokpal draft bill and the immediate need of appointing lokayukta in Goa. The programme in Goa will be followed by public meetings all over India.

"Anti corruption activists and citizens of Goa will give Anna Hazare a rousing welcome on his arrival at Dabolim airport, Vasco, on May 13 at 1pm," added Sonak.