High Court bench grants bail to DMDK and AIADMK men

Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Dec 27 (UNI) The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court today granted bail to ten DMDK volunteers and six AIADMK partymen, who were arrested in connection with the clash which ensued while paying tributes to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late M G Ramachandran (MGR) here on his death anniversary on December 24.

The Bench also granted anticipatory bail to nine AIADMK men in the case.

The counsel for the respective parties submitted that they did not file any complaint against each other and that the complaints were concocted by police out of political ill-will.

Police said the DMDK and AIADMK cadres clashed when the latter removed some DMDK party flags, which were tied to MGR statue. The DMDK men did not obtain permission for taking out a procession during MGR's death anniversary. Besides, they made fun of AIADMK men, leading to the clash, they added.

Police had arrested 62 persons as a preventive measure and released them later. But, they later arrested ten DMDK men and six AIADMK party men and registered cases against nine AIADMK men in connection with the clash. Property worth Rs 2,000 rpt Rs 2,000 were damaged during the clash.

Police claimed that they had registered cases against the DMDK and AIADMK men, based on complaints.

The AIADMK men, who sought anticipatory bail blamed anti-social elements for the clash and said they were not responsible.

The court also directed the DMDK and AIADMK to pay Rs 1,000 each at the lower court for causing damage to property before getting them released on bail.

UNI