Madras HC grants anticipatory bail to TTV Dhinkaran supporter MLA Palaniappan

Chennai: Madras high court has granted anticipatory bail to former minister and MLA P. Palaniappan, a member of TTV Dhinkaran group, who feared arrest in connection with suicide of a Namakkal-based government contractor K.R. Subramanian.

Justice P.N. Prakash, before whom the plea came up for hearing Tuesday, granted anticipatory bail and directed him to appear before the inspector of police, CB-CID, Namakkal, for a period of two weeks at 10.30 am daily and thereafter as and when required.

The contractor was close to Minister for Health, Dr C. Vijayabaskar. The IT department conducted raid in the contractor's house and in 13 premises of Vijayabaskar. As per the reports of media several crore of rupees and gold were seized from Subramanian's residence.

Leaving behind suicide notes, Subramanian consumed pesticide and committed suicide in his house. He accused rival contractor PSK Thennarasu and also mentioned the name of Palaniappan alleging that he was instrumental in awarding government contracts to Thennarasu.

In the petition, Palaniappan said that even close relatives including his wife and son did not mention his name during enquiry. He had also appeared before the Investigating authority when called on July 22, 2017 and answered all the questions put forth to him by the Police.

He had an apprehension that the current government was putting pressure on the police to arrest him as he was not supporting the government. Hence he sought anticipatory bail.