Bypoll violence: Former AIADMK ministers granted bail

Madurai, June 22 (UNI) The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court today granted bail to nine Opposition AIADMK functionaries, including three former ministers, in a case related to violence during the campaign for the June 26 byelection to the Madurai West Assembly constituency.

Mr Justice G Rajasuriya, before whom the anticipatory bail petition of the AIADMK functionaries came up for hearing, granted them conditional bail.

The AIADMK leaders, including Former Ministers V T Natarajan, Anita Radhakrishnan and Pollachi Jayaraman and Legislator P K Sekhar Babu, were accused of masterminding the burning of ex-DMK Mayor P Kulandaivelu's car at his residence in the city on the night of June 19.

The Judge directed each of them to execute a bond for Rs 10,000 and be present at the concerned police station daily in the morning.

Meanwhile, ruling DMK legislator S S Ghouse Basha and City Mayor Thenmozhi's Husband, both loyalists of M K Azhagiri, surrendered in court and were subsequently released on bail, in different cases related to violence during the campaign for the bypoll.

In a case pertaining to June 18 late night clash involving the AIADMK and the DMK volunteers, AIADMK functionary M S Pandian was injured but subsequently arrested along with other party colleagues.

A case was also registered against Mr Basha on the complaint of Pandian.

Earlier in the day, Basha surrendered before a Judicial Magistrate and was released on bail. Three DMK workers have been arrested in this case.

City Mayor Thenmozhi's husband Gopinathan and DMK lower-rung functionary Ochchu Baalu, accused in an election related violence, surrendered before a Judicial Magistrate and were released on bail subsequently.

UNI