The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted one day CBI custody of the brother of PMK leader, S. Ramadoss, in connection with a murder case in 2006.
Commercial Taxes Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam had filed a complaint stating that a group of persons conspired and attacked him and his men with dangerous weapons in front of his house at Tindivanam on May 8, 2006. One Muruganantham, who tried to save his life, died and others were injured.
The attackers also caused damage to property.
On the orders of the Madras High Court, investigation of the case was taken up by the central agency.
In its petition before the High Court, filed through the Special Public Prosecutor, N. Chandrasekharan, the CBI, sought the quashing of an order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Chengalpattu, of January 30 rejecting police custody of Srinivasan.
Crucial role
The CBI submitted that during investigation, witnesses and accused persons had said he played a crucial role in the conspiracy to carry out the attack.
The custodial interrogation of Srinivasan would reveal the ingredients of the conspiracy and also about the role of other conspirators. But, without considering the serious involvement of Srinivasan, the CJM passed orders dismissing the plea for police custody of the accused.
Allowing the petition, Justice T. Mathivanan said having been satisfied with the reasons assigned in the petition and on considering the submissions of both sides, he found that it may be better in the interest of justice to grant police custody of Srinivasan for one day.
Mr. Justice Mathivanan said the period of police custody of the accused would be from one p.m. on Tuesday to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Srinivasan should not be harassed both physically and mentally.
He should be produced before the CJM, Chengalpattu, after completion of police custody. He should be provided the assistance of a doctor if he so desired.
