Donkey produced before TN court

Kancheepuram, June 28 (UNI) Police 'produced' a donkey as evidence in a local court while seeking remand of a group of NGO volunteers arrested for staging demonstration in a manner deriding the government machinery.

The donkey, used by the NGO, Makkal Mandram, for staging the demonstration, was produced before Judicial Magistrate Court I here yesterday and later, handed over to its owner.

The animal was 'impounded' at Kavalan Gate, where the NGO staged the demonstration on June 26 to condemn the district administration for the delay in issuing land pattas to the Irula community.

Acting on a complaint from a Revenue Department staff, the agitators were arrested for staging the demonstration deriding the government machinery.

The donkey, impounded and produced before Magistrate G Uthamaraj, was recorded as 'evidence seized from the scene of occurrence.' The police brought the arrested persons to the court for remand and also the ''seized materials'' (pamphlets and the donkey).

While remanding the accused to judicial custody, the Magistrate asked the police to keep the donkey in their custody and produce it before the court the next day (June 27).

However, on a plea by the police, it was handed over to its owner, before being produced before the court, again, yesterday.

The donkey was later handed over to its owner Santhi, who claimed the NGO had taken the donkey on rent for staging a drama.

Cases under Prevention of Cruely to Animals Act and the IPC were registered against the protestors.

UNI XR-GV RP DS1607