Aizawl: The chief judicial magistrate (CJM) of Serchhip district in Mizoram on Friday deferred chief minister Lal Thanhawla's case on alleged false affidavit for a month as the chief minister failed to appear before the court. The next hearing is on May 25.

CJM Lalngaihmawia Zote had deferred the hearing of the case for a month on March 28 after Lal Thanhawla's counsels sought time to gather documents.

The five-time chief minister of Mizoram was summoned by the district court following a criminal complaint filed by deputy controller of mines, Lalhriatrenga Chhangte, on January 27. He accused the chief minister of concealing information about owning a plot of land in Calcutta and his actual age in his affidavit while filing nomination for the 2013 Assembly elections.

Sources in Serchhip said Lal Thanhawla's lawyer Remsanga Nghaka also failed to show up for the hearing on Friday "citing personal problems". Chhangte and his counsels were present.

Lal Thanhawla's second counsel Laithanpuia requested the CJM to defer the hearing again. The chief minister is expected to appear before the court on May 25 with supporting documents.

The Opposition MNF said on Friday that Lal Thanhawla has "no respect for judiciary and thinks he is above the law".