TN violence — 300 ADMK men get bail

CHENNAI, FEB 17: The Madras HC yesterday granted bail to about 300 ADMK men who were arrested for indulging in violence and causing damage to public property on Feb 2 following the conviction of their leader J Jayalalitha in the Kodaikanal Pleasant Stay Hotel case. They have been asked to pay the value of the damages caused by them. The ADMK men had been arrested under the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Destruction and Loss) Act, 1982, in Chennai, Vellore, Karur, Perambalur and Thanjavur districts. A few of them had even applied for anticipatory bail, fearing arrest on the same charges.

“Taking note of the facts and circumstances of the case and in the light of the intention, object and scheme of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Destruction and Loss) Act, the petitioners are released on bail on the following conditions,” Justice P.D. Dinakaran said. The judge said those who had been involved in crimes where the value of the damages caused was less than Rs 10,000 should deposit the same amount in the respective court.

Those involved in crimes where the value of the damage was more than Rs 10,000 should deposit Rs 10,000 towards damages. For the rest of the amount, they should furnish immovable property as security, the court directed. This was also applicable for those who had anticipated arrest, it added.The judge said that the conditions were without prejudice to the rights or liabilities of either parties at the time of trial to claim refund or excess amount, as the case may be.

In addition, all the petitioners should execute a bond for Rs 10,000 with one surety of a government servant or alternatively two sureties for the like sum to the satisfaction of the magistrates concerned, he said.They should also make themselves available before the police for investigation as and when required, the court said. The conditions should not in any way be construed that they were guilty of the offences, the judge added.