Advocate held for assaulting Magistrate

Chennai, Nov 2 (UNI) The Chennai City Police has arrested an advocate in connection with the assault on Egmore Fifth Metropolitan Court Magistrate Muruganandam last night.

Acting on a complaint from the Magistrate, an FIR had been registered against advocates Elangovan, Rajadurai and 20 others for assaulting the Magistrate and his office assistant Balakrishnan.

After conducting preliminary inquiries and after Madras High Court suo moto initiated contempt proceedings against the advocates, police arrested Elangovan last night.

Cases were also registered against two other advocates and 20 associates.

Elangovan was remanded in judicial custody and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison.

Cases were registered against the advocates under Sec 147 (unlawful assembly), Sec 332 (assault and preventing an officer from discharging his duty), Sec 448 (trespass), Sec 294(b) (using filthy and abusive language) and Sec 506 (1) (holding out threats) of the IPC.

It may be recalled that Mr Muruganandam and his office assistant Balakrishnan were allegedly assaulted by the advocates after the Magistrate refused to grant bail to four women on October 31.

After the Magistrate refused bail to the women arrested in connection with a theft case, the advocates led by Elangovan barged into his chamber and attacked Mr Muruganandam and his assistant.

Afetr the Magistrate drew the attention of the Madras High Court Registrar, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice V Ramasubramanian suo moto initiated contempt proceedings and ordered issuance of notices to advocates Elangovan and Rajadurai, directing them to appear before it on November 29.

UNI