Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the police not to arrest the son and brother of former chief minister O. Paneerselvam, till April 13. Justice S.Baskaran granted the interim relief on the anticipatory bail petition filed by O.P.Ravindranathkumar and O.Raja, son and brother of O.Paneerselvam, who apprehended arrest in connection with the violent incidents that took place in RK Nagar, where the byoll was to be held on April 12 but cancelled due to alleged bribing of voters.
The prosecution case was that the duo along with some other persons allegedly attacked the complainant Saravanan and threatened him with dire consequences and also indulged in rioting. They were charged for offences under section 147, 148, 341, 323, 326 and 506 (ii) of IPC. They contended that they were innocent and they were not at all present at the scene of occurrence. The case was politically motivated to defame O.Paneerselvam. The case was registered at the instance of their political rival TTV.Dinakaran in order to create disrepute to O.Paneerselvam and his party, they alleged. When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, Justice S.Baskaran adjourned the hearing to April 13 and directed the police not to arrest the petitioners till then.
