Former TN Speaker files petition in HC for anticipatory bail

Chennai, Sep 15 (UNI) Former Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker K Kalimuthu today filed a petition in the Madras High Court, seeking anticipatory bail in two corruption cases registered against him by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).

The petition is likely to come up for hearing on September 18.

According to the DVAC, in one case, Mr Kalimuthu had allegedly permitted K V R Mani to run the Anna Unavagam Canteen at the Tamil Nadu Legislative Residential Complex, Government Estate, here at a rent of Rs 2,750 per month for three years from March 27, 2002 without adopting the tender procedure.

The move was allegedly against the annual rent of Rs 2,60,003, fixed during the previous period through proper procedure.

The contract was extended for three years. Mr Mani, who was also booked, obtained a pecuniary advantage of about Rs 10.20 lakh resulting in a loss to the government.

Similarly, Mr Kalimuthu allowed one Hanifa to run the Anbagam Restaurant on the Government estate here at a low rent of Rs 5,000 per month for four years from August five, 2002 without adopting the tender procedure- against the annual rent of Rs 11.50 fixed during the previous period.

Mr Hanifa allegedly obtained a pecuniary advantage of about Rs 43.60 lakhs.

In his petition, Mr Kalimuthu submitted that due to a political witch hunt, he was being targeted to settle political scores by the present DMK Government.

He was a chronic heart patient and was hospitalised quite intermittently during the past one year he said. At present he was confined to the hospital at Madurai and undergoing treatment.

He said the two cases were allegedly registered againsst him for political reasons and also with an eye on the by-election to be held in Madurai-Central Constituency. The by-election programme was announced on September 13.

It was widely stated media that he would be the probable AIADMK candidate. Even otherwise, he would be a force in the election campaign. To prevent both and to tarnish his image, the cases were foisted with political reasons, he added.

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