India, Sept. 24 -- Mayor Ritu Tawde has been let off from appearing before a sessions court in a 2016 case alleging the assault of two municipal school teachers, but the exemption has come with a Rs.300 price tag.

Additional Sessions Judge G G Bhansali on Tuesday allowed Tawde's application seeking exemption from personal appearance, but directed her to deposit Rs.300 with the government before the next hearing. The court noted that she had already been granted exemption as a "last chance" on three earlier occasions, yet continued to remain absent and file fresh applications.

"Despite aforesaid three orders, the accused are continuously absent and filing applications for exemption," the court observed.

The case dates back to July 29, 2...