HC grants anticipatory bail to supporters of former minister

Chennai, Aug 11 (UNI) Madras High Court has granted anticipatory bail to three supporters of sacked Tamil Nadu Handloom Minister N K K P Raja, apprehending arrest in an abduction and land grabbing case.

Justice R Regupathy granted relief to the three - P S Sundarajan, D Sampath Kumar and M Sundaram on condition that they should furnish a personal surity for Rs 10,000 and other two sureties for a likesum.

The Judge also directed them to appear before the Perundurai police daily at 1000 hrs for two weeks.

The petitioners submitted that they apprehended arrest as the Perundurai police had registered case against them in connection with the alleged abduction of an aged couple with a view to grab their ten-acres of land.

They said they were innocent and falsely implicated in the case.

While two of the petitioners were local DMK functionaries, Sampath Kumar belonged to the opposition AIADMK. He was expelled from the party after his alleged involvement in the case came to light.

The abduction issue had cost Mr Raja, his ministership as Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had sacked him from the cabinet, pending disposal of the habeas corpus petition filed by the couple in the Madras High Court.

UNI XR/WS SP RAI2114