Appear before CBCID on April 1, Madras high court tells Nakkeeran Gopal
Chennai: The Madras high court has directed Nakkeeran Gopal, editor and publisher of Tamil bi-weekly “Nakkeeran” to appear before the superintendent of police, CBCID, Chennai, on April 1 in connection with the Pollachi sex scandal case.
Slightly modifying the summons issued by the superintendent of police, Justice G.K.Illanthiraiyan also directed the SP, Egmore, Chennai, to conduct an inquiry relating to the crime registered by the police (against the petitioner) without making any harassment to the petitioner.
Directing the petitioner Nakkeeran Gopal to hand over the materials whatever available with him as required by the SP, the judge disposed of the petition filed by Nakkeeran Gopal.
When the case came up for hearing, P.T.Perumal, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the investigation in the case has been transferred to the CBI. At this stage, whether the CBCID can call the petitioner for inquiry was his concern. Secondly, the action of the SP in issuing summons for the appearance of the petitioner was malafide. The petitioner received CD from unknown source and after going through the same, it was reported in his magazine. The video also reveals the involvement of the son of the deputy speaker. While so, summons were issued by the police, asking the petitioner to appear before them in Coimbatore. The petitioner was in Chennai, he can very well appear before the CBCID office in Chennai. The petitioner was ready to hand over whatever materials he has to the police. The petitioner should not be subjected to torture under guise of enquiry, Perumal added.
State public prosecutor A.Natarajan submitted that the CBCID has registered two cases. After registration of cases summons were issued to the petitioner. But, he was refusing to appear. He has got more number of evidences. Either Chennai, or Pollachi, it was the duty of the petitioner to appear before the police. As a duty bound citizen, what was wrong in appearing before the police. All the officials cannot come to Chennai to enquire one person, Natarajan added.
When the judge asked what was stage of investigation, Natarajan said the investigation has been transferred to CBI and the process was going on. The CBI has a system where when there was a request from other agency, they have to give consent. During the process, the CBCID was collecting materials to help the CBI. Whatever materials he has, he can hand over the same to the police, Natarajan added.
