A non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued against controversial AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi for allegedly using derogatory language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Kishanganj.

Superintendent of police (SP) Rajiv Ranjan said a local court issued a non-bailable warrant against All India Majlis-e-Ittihad-al-Muslimin leader Akbaruddin on Wednesday on the request of the investigating officer of the case Abhay Kumar.

"We have formed a special team to execute the warrant," he said over the phone.

Earlier, the SP had issued orders for the arrest of Akbaruddin after prima facie the charges against him were found to be true. An FIR was lodged against him with the Kochadhaman police station of the district on the statement of the block development officer (BDO) Mritunjay Kumar on Monday.

While addressing the election rally, Akbaruddin had called Modi a " zalim" (tyrant) and a "shaitan" (devil) and also held him responsible for the 2002 Gujarat riots. The Election Commission took strong exception to Akbaruddin's comment and ordered the Kishanganj district administration to initiate legal action against him.

According to the FIR, Akbaruddin's speech could be described as one promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion.

"He also used abusive language against all the members of parliament, except his brother, who is an MP from Hyderabad," an investigating officer said, adding that similar remarks were made against the BJP leaders.

Station house officer of Kochadhaman police station Chandan Prasad Yadav said Akbaruddin went into hiding after the court issued orders to arrest him. "The members of the police team conducted raids at his possible hideouts. But he could not be arrested."

Akbaruddin has been booked under sections 188, 153A, 171 of Indian Penal Code and Section 125 of Representation of People's Act, 1951. One of the sections 153A is non-bailable and the offender may be liable for imprisonment up to three years.

The Election Commission issued notification for the fourth phase of the Assembly elections. On the first day, 55 nominations were filed from 55 constituencies in the districts of West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj and Siwan.

Additional chief electoral officer R. Laxmanan said 37 cases of violation of model code of conduct were lodged on Wednesday.