Chennai, July 24:
Arrested DMK MLA G V Markandeyan, elected from Vilathikulam Assembly constituency, on Thursday moved the Madras High Court after a Judicial Magistrate Court in Thoothukudi
dismissed his bail plea and also the one filed by the police seeking custody for interrogation in the case related to alleged threatening remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
The Thoothukudi District Crime Branch had arrested the Opposition DMK MLA over remarks made during a public meeting in Kovilpatti. He was questioned for more than 12 hours at the district police office before being remanded to judicial custody till August 3 by Thoothukudi Judicial Magistrate-I Ms.Sumathi.
When both the bail petition and the police plea for custody came up for hearing on Wednesday evening, the court directed the police to produce Markandeyan, who was lodged in Palayamkottai prison, before it. In compliance with the directive, he was produced before the court when the police sought custody of the MLA for further interrogation.
However, opposing the plea, the defence counsel argued that Markandeyan was already questioned extensively after his arrest during which he had answered over 170 questions and signed all necessary documents. Hence, no further custodial interrogation should be granted.
While arguing for his release on bail, his counsel contended that the MLA’s speech at the public meeting lacked malicious intent. The prosecution strongly opposed it and urged the court not to grant bail.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Ms Sumathi dismissed both the bail petition and the police plea for custody, following which the MLA has moved the Madras High Court today challenging the JM Court order.
The petition was filed before Justice G K Ilanthirayan, handling cases pertaining to elected MLAs and MPs.