Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Aug 5: The Madras High Court has relaxed the anticipatory bail condition requiring former Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok Kumar to appear twice daily before the investigating officer in connection with the alleged attempt to lure a TVK legislator through horse-trading.
Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan passed the order on petitions filed by the brothers seeking modification of the reporting condition imposed while granting them anticipatory bail.
The case was registered by the Triplicane police based on allegations that attempts were made to induce TVK MLA Ilaiyaraja, who represents the Uthangarai Assembly constituency in Krishnagiri district, as part of an alleged horse-trading bid.
After the Triplicane police issued summons directing them to appear for questioning, Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail, apprehending arrest in the case.
While granting anticipatory bail, the court had directed both to appear before the investigating officer twice a day at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. They had been complying with the condition by reporting to the police station and signing the attendance register.
Subsequently, the brothers filed separate petitions seeking relaxation of the reporting requirement.
During the hearing, their counsel informed the court that a Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice had stayed the entire investigation being conducted by the Triplicane police in the case.
Citing the stay on the investigation, the petitioners argued that there was no reason to continue the condition requiring them to report before the investigating officer twice every day and sought complete relaxation.
Accepting the submission, Justice Ilanthiraiyan exempted Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar from appearing at the police station twice daily. However, the court clarified that the relaxation would not prevent the investigating agency from summoning and questioning them whenever their presence is required, subject to orders governing the investigation.