Land grab case: Former DMK minister's bail plea adjourned

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court has posted to next week bail applications of former minister KN Nehru, his brother and few others in a case registered against them on land grab charges.

The case was registered on a complaint by one K Srinivasan that Nehru and others, including former Tiruchi Deputy Mayor M Anbazhagan, had grabbed 13,900 sq ft land for construction of the Kalaingar Arivalayam (Party office) at Chinthamani in Tiruchirappalli district.

Justice R Mala adjourned the case, saying the petitioner's counsel could take their chance before some other judge, who would preside over proceedings during the vacation court sitting next week, as she did not favour enlarging the accused on bail. Counsel for petitioner even offered to deposit Rs.2.4crore before the lower court to enlarge them on bail.

GR Swaminathan, counsel for Srinvivasan, objected to grant of bail,pointing out that Nehru's brother Ramajeyam was arrested at Kochi airport on Sept 5 while trying to escape to another country. There was no assurance that the accused would not escape if they were granted bail.

Counsel said Nehru may not escape, but he will threaten the complainant. "He is the district secretary of a political party, a former minister, and a candidate for the Tiruchi West assembly constituency. He has muscle power."

The complainant had been receiving threats also, it was stated.

Nehru and two others were granted bail in two other cases, registered by the District Crime Bureau,last week. One of the complaints related to grabbing of a private hotel situated in Tiruchirappalli district.

A loyalist of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam treasurer and party chief M Karunanidhi's son, M K Stalin, Nehru was arrested on August 25.