Actress Kasthuri, who was arrested and lodged in Puzhal prison for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Telugus during a protest in Chennai, has been granted conditional bail by the Egmore Court.
The Incident and Arrest
On November 3, Kasthuri participated in a protest in Chennai’s Egmore area, where she made controversial statements about Telugus. This led to her being charged under six sections, including inciting communal disharmony. Following this, Kasthuri was arrested in Hyderabad and brought to Chennai, where she was remanded to Puzhal prison.
Kasthuri filed a petition in the Egmore Court seeking bail. Her counsel argued that she is a single mother to a 12-year-old son with autism, who requires her constant care. The defense stressed the urgency of her release, given the lack of alternate caregivers for her child.
The prosecution did not oppose the plea, and after hearing the arguments, the judge granted conditional bail to Kasthuri.
Justice G.R. Swaminathan’s wife, Kamakshi, who is the National Vice President of Saksham, an organization for persons with disabilities, expressed her support for Kasthuri. In a statement, she acknowledged Kasthuri’s struggles as a mother of a child with autism.
“I understand the daily challenges faced by parents raising children with autism. As a mother of a child with similar needs, I empathize with Kasthuri and stand in solidarity with her. I hope courts will consider the child’s condition and act with compassion in such cases,” Kamakshi stated.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by single parents of children with special needs, highlighting the importance of considering compassionate grounds in legal matters.