Thoothukudi, July 23:
A Judicial Magistrate Court in Thoothukudi on Wednesday dismissed both the bail plea filed by Vilathikulam MLA G V Markandeyan and the petition by police seeking his custody in a case related to alleged defamatory remarks against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
The Thoothukudi District Crime Branch had arrested the MLA over remarks made during a public meeting in Kovilpatti. He was questioned for nearly 11 hours at the district police office before being remanded to judicial custody till August 3 by Judicial Magistrate-I Sumathi.
Both the bail petition and the police plea for custody came up for hearing on Wednesday. The court directed authorities to produce Markandeyan, who was lodged in Palayamkottai prison, before it. Accordingly, he was presented before Judicial Magistrate-I Sumathi at the Thoothukudi court.
During the hearing, police sought custody of the MLA for further interrogation. However, opposing the plea, the defence counsel argued that Markandeyan had already undergone extensive questioning, during which he answered over 170 questions and signed all necessary documents. Hence, no further custodial interrogation was required.
Seeking bail, the defence contended that the MLAās speech at the public meeting lacked malicious intent. The prosecution strongly opposed the request, urging the court not to grant bail.
After hearing both sides, the magistrate dismissed both the bail petition and the police request for custody, leaving the MLA to remain in judicial custody.