The Melur Judicial Magistrate court on Monday issued non-bailable warrants, on a petition filed by the Madurai rural district police, against Durai alias Dayanithi Alagiri, son of Union Minister M. K. Alagiri, former director, and Nagaraj, partner, Olympus Granites, in the granite scam case.
Magistrate V. Jayakumar issued the order and similar NBWs against PRP Exports owner P.R. Palanichamy’s sons Suresh Kumar and Senthil Kumar; Palanichamy’s wife Selvi, son-in- law Maharajan, and relatives Deivendran and Murugesan, who are also accused in the multi-crore granite scam.
The petition filed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Prohibition Enforcement Wing, the investigation officer, said all the accused had gone into hiding and were evading arrest. Arrest warrants were sought to proceed with the investigation process.
A counter petition filed by Mr. Dhayanithi on October 10, opposing the police plea, said the arrest warrant could not be issued by courts solely for production of accused before the police in aid of investigation. What could not be done directly could not be done indirectly through court, it said. It contended that he was being politically victimised as he was the son of a Union Minister and grandson of the DMK president M. Karunanidhi.
Arguing against the counter petition, Assistant Public Prosecutor S. Selvasundari, on October 12, said the petition seeking warrant had been filed only to press his appearance in court and not for investigation. She also refuted the allegation of infringement of fundamental rights.
On a complaint from the local Village Administrative Officer, police had charged Mr. Dayanithi and Mr. Nagarajan with encroaching on the adjacent government land and taking away large quantity of granite illegally, without quarrying in the permitted area and causing loss of Rs. 44 crore to the government.
Cases had been registered under various IPC sections, including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 447 (criminal trespass) and 420 (cheating) against them.
PRP Exports chairman P. R. Palanichamy was produced before the court on Monday as he was not able to appear on Friday.
The granite baron, who is lodged in Palayamkottai central prison, complained of ill health. The hearing was postponed to October 29.
