The Madras High Court on Monday granted conditional bail to a State Minister's relative who was arrested in a case for offences including conspiracy and murder.
Justice Aruna Jagadeesan granted bail to Sureshkumar, a relative of Agriculture Minister Veerapandi Arumugam, following a petition filed by him.
The prosecution case was that the petitioner had instigated Sivaguru to murder the latter's parents, brother and his family members on August 12 last year at Salem.
Sivaguru is the son of Kuppuraj, a retired police officer. There was a dispute between him and his father over partition of property, and civil suits were pending.
The Government Advocate (criminal side) submitted that the allegation against the petitioner was that he had told Sivaguru that as long as Kuppuraj was alive, he would not be in a position to get the parent documents of the property, which instigated the murder.
Counsel said the petitioner held the post of secretary in the DMK and was an advocate.
Owing to political enmity, he had been falsely implicated in the case.
In the order, Ms. Justice Jagadeesan stated that considering the facts and circumstances of the case, submissions made and the fact that except the allegation, there was no material to show Sureshkumar's participation in the commission of the crime and considering the fact that the petitioner was in jail from October 20 last year, the court was inclined to grant him bail.
The Judge said the petitioner would be released on bail on his executing a bond for Rs.10,000 with two sureties for a like sum.
He should stay at Tiruchirappalli and report to Judicial Magistrate-1 there daily at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. until further orders.
