The Madras High Court on Friday granted conditional bail to businessman Chandramohan and his friend Dhanalakshmi, who were arrested for threatening and abusing police officers near Pattinapakkam beach in Chennai. The incident, which took place on October 21, involved a late-night altercation that was captured on video and widely shared on social media.
Justice AD Jagadish Chandra, taking into consideration the duration of their incarceration, approved the bail petitions. The court ordered the release of Chandramohan and Dhanalakshmi upon execution of a bond of Rs 15,000 each, supported by two sureties. The judge also stipulated that the petitioners must not abscond or interfere with the ongoing investigation by tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.
As a further condition, Chandramohan has been directed to report daily to the Teynampet police station until further instructions from the court. The late-night incident began when the two were spotted by a police patrol team from the Mylapore police station while parked in their car on Loop Road, Pattinapakkam, an area where late-hour parking is prohibited. When asked to leave, Chandramohan and Dhanalakshmi reportedly abused and threatened the officers, who recorded the confrontation on a mobile phone. The video eventually went viral, leading to their arrest.
The duo faced charges under sections 296(b), 132, 125, 224, 109, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha. Government advocate Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam strongly opposed the bail petitions, arguing that the accused were under the influence of alcohol during the incident and had mistreated on-duty police personnel.
Despite these objections, the High Court decided to grant bail under strict conditions to ensure compliance and prevent disruption of the legal process.
The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting issues of law enforcement and respect for authority in public spaces.