The Madras High Court Bench here on Thursday adjourned to next week the hearing on bail applications filed by former Transport Minister K.N. Nehru, his brother K.N. Ramajeyam, Tiruchi Deputy Mayor M. Anbalagan and a few others in a case registered against them on charges of grabbing about 13,900 square feet of land from a doctor for constructing Kalaignar Arivalayam in Tiruchi.
Justice R. Mala adjourned the case after stating that petitioners' counsel could take their chance before some other judge, who would preside over the proceedings during the vacation court sitting next week, as she was not in favour of enlarging the accused on bail.
She refused to grant bail despite the offer made by counsel to deposit the transaction amount of Rs. 2.4 crore before the lower court concerned. Earlier, arguing on behalf of the complainant K. Srinivasan, his counsel G.R. Swaminathan objected to grant of bail to the accused on four grounds.
Pointing out that Mr. Ramajeyam, was arrested at the Kochi International Airport on September 5 while attempting to flee to another country, counsel said that there was no assurance that the accused would not escape if they were granted bail.
“Of course, Mr. Nehru may not run away. But he will threaten me. I fear for my life. He is not a casual individual. He is a district secretary of a political party, a former Minister and a candidate for the upcoming by-election for Tiruchi West Assembly Constituency. His financial muscle is enormous. I have been receiving threats for daring to lodge a complaint against him,” counsel said.
Further, stating that at least four land grab cases had been registered against the former Minister, he said: “The antecedents of the accused must be looked into. One can see a pattern in the number of cases filed against him. That by itself is a ground to deny bail.”
Advance bail in another case
The Madras High Court Bench here on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to Mr. Nehru and two others in a criminal case registered by the Tiruchi City Crime Branch police on charges of grabbing of a private hotel situated in Tiruchi town.
The High Court had already granted advance bail to him in the case early this month with a direction to appear before the judicial Magistrate concerned within 15 days. However, he could not comply with the condition as he was in jail in connection with other cases against him.
