After keeping the DMK strongman and former minister Veerapandi S Arumugam under the ‘custodial interrogation' for three days from Monday in connection with two land grab cases in which he has been named as Accused No.1, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) Police on Wednesday produced him before the Salem Judicial Magistrate No.5, who had enlarged him on conditional bail
The Madras High Court, on the DMK functionary's anticipatory bail petition filed under Section 438 of Cr.PC in connection with the land grab cases of Angammal Colony and Premier Flour Mills, had ruled that Mr. Arumugam should surrender before the CCB for three-day ‘custodial interrogation.'
After the interrogation, he should be produced before the Judicial Magistrate No.5 to execute bonds and sureties for bail.
As per the High Court directions, the CCB police produced him before judge G. Sarathraj at 5 pm on Wednesday. Mr. Arumugam was helped to climb into the witness box by a team of DMK lawyers in the packed court hall.
The judge was forced to ask the advocates who were present inside the hall to remain silent while the proceedings were on. Bonds and sureties in both the cases were executed. After a few questions for which the former minister replied, the magistrate asked him to sign the papers and enlarged him on bail.
After spending nearly 15 minutes to complete the other legal formalities, he was allowed to go. He has been directed to appear before the CCB at 8 am every day until further orders.
When the DMK leader was brought to the court in a police vehicle, hundreds of workers waiting outside raised slogans in support of him. In the melee, the glass doors of the court entrance were broken and Mr. Arumugam suffered bleeding injuries on his right hand.
A posse of policemen led by Deputy Commissioner V. Raveendran had a tough time controlling his supporters who were trying to enter the court hall.
Heavy police pickets were posted all along the route up to his native Poolavari village. His lawyer Moorthy said they would move the High Court to get the bail conditions relaxed.
