HC grants anticipatory bail to Vijayakanth

Madurai, Feb 4: The Madras High Court today granted anticipatory bail to DMDK Chief Vijayakanth and seven others in a case filed against them for allegedly damaging a bus stop during a demonstration at Thanjavur and tearing a poster having a photo of chief minister Jayalalithaa.

Granting anticipatory bail, Justice P.N.Prakash of the Court's Madurai bench directed Vijayakanth to appear before the Judicial Magistrate Court-I at Thanjavur and get bail under usual procedure.

Rejecting the plea of Vijayakanth's counsel that he be allowed to appear in a court at Chennai, the judge said he should appear in the Thanjavur court The judge directed the seven other DMDK activists to deposit Rs.75,000 in the Judicial Magistrate's court so that if they were found guilty after the trial under Damage to Public Properties Act, the money could be paid to the treasury.

The Judge directed them to appear before the Magistrate I court and get the bail. When the government pleader said tearing of the government poster, containing the chief minister's portrait affected sentiments, the judge said mere tearing of banners would not lower the status of the leader of a political party in any way.

The judge granted bail to eight other DMDK activists, who were arrested in connection with the case and lodged in jail, and directed them to pay a bond of Rs.10,000 besides two personal sureties.

PTI