NEW DELHI (>l 9 Former Prime Minister PV Naraslnilia Rao was arrested here tonight in the St Kilts case and Immr diately released on ball reports PTI

The trial court had earlier fixed September 30 for Rao s personal appearance In the court when it issued summons lo him in September 21. but the Supreme Court exempted him from personal appearance till the pronouncement of order on the Delhi police plea

Aii ■ •ii her Reuter report said A Indian court today granted Rao legal protection against arrest in a seven-year-old criminal forgery case until October 14.

Delhi High Court judge S K Mahajan said the pre-emptive, or anticipatory bail would last until a lower court holds a hear-ing Into the forgery case on Oc-

Last week a court issued a warrant to arrest Rao in the case. The warrant was temporarily suspended pending Mahajan's decision on Rao's request of protection against arrest.

Mahajan said Rao could apply for ordinary ball at the October 14 hearing, when he was scheduled to be formally charged with forgery and two other counts.

In another case, an Indian Judge today postponed a hearing into accusations of criminal cheating by Rao until next week, United News of India (UNI) said.