The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted statutory bail to Thangaraj, known as Thamizharasan, in a case relating to the placing of pipe bombs near the Puducherry residence of Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy when he was the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Six individuals were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for placing pipe bombs at a public spot in Madurai. They have been accused of distributing incriminating pamphlets near the Sivaganga residence of then Union Minister P. Chidambaram. The NIA charge sheet says they are members of an outfit called the Tamil Nadu Liberation Army.
Mr. Thangaraj was arrested by the NIA on April 9, 2014 and was remanded in judicial custody under Sections 307 IPC, Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act and Sections 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. A Bench of justice A. Selvam and Justice P. Kalaiarasan set aside an order of the Special Judge for NIA Cases, Puducherry’s March 29, 2017 order while granting bail. Mr. Thangaraj was ordered to be released for a bond of ₹10,000. He has been asked to submit his passport.
