K.V. Sayan and ‘Walayar’ Manoj, who were arrested by the city police from Delhi on Sunday for dragging Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s name into the 2017 murder-cum-heist at late AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa’s Kodanad Estate, were released on bail on Friday.
The chief metropolitan magistrate’s court allowed bail after the two furnished a surety bond of ₹10,000 each.
Sayan and Manoj — two suspects in the 2017 dacoity and murder at the Kodanad Estate— in a video conversation with journalist Mathew Samuel, sought to link Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami with the break-in.
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They were arrested by a special team of the Chennai police in New Delhi on Sunday under charges of “promoting enmity” and “public mischief”.
When they were produced before a magistrate court in Egmore on Monday, the judge refused to remand them and sought evidence to substantiate the charges against the two. The duo were asked to appear before the court and furnish the surety bond.
On Friday, Sayan and Manoj along with their counsel sought time to furnish the bond. However, the court refused permission and directed them to do it by evening.
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Petition against bail
In a related development, a petition was moved in the District Sessions court in Udhagamandalam, seeking cancellation of their bail.
In a petition filed before the judge, P. Vadamalai, the Public Prosecutor Bala Nandhakumar argued that the accused, Sayan and Manoj, had indirectly tried to influence 97 of the witnesses lined up by the prosecution to testify in the case, and had sought cancellation of the bail.
The judge posted the matter to be heard on January 24 and directed both Sayan and Manoj to present themselves before the court and file counter arguments.