Madras high court disposes of advance bail plea of Nakkheeran Gopal

Chennai: After it was brought to the notice that all the connected cases in which independent FIRs have been registered in the Pollachi sex scandal, are going to be transferred to the CBI, the Madras high court has disposed of the anticipatory bail petition filed by Nakkheeran Gopal, who apprehended arrest in connection with a case registered against him based on the complaint given by the Deputy Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Justice N.Anand Venkatesh however gave liberty to Nakkeeran Gopal to approach the court for anticipatory bail if and when there is an apprehension of arrest of the petitioner even after the transfer of investigation.

When the anticipatory bail petition came up for hearing on Tuesday morning, Justice Anand Venkatesh expressed his concern over the Pollachi incident.

The judge said it appears that the issue is being politicised and it has become sensational. We have not understood the implication of the problem. Lot of people come and say they do not believe CBCID or CBI, they say the investigation has to be monitored by the court, the judge said.  

“I am apolitical. I am disturbed the manner in which it is reported. Unfortunately, it has happened when the election is announced. Now the politicians are jumping in. Now the government has taken a conscious decision to transfer the case to CBI. Let this also be transferred to CBI. Let the CBI take a call on this also. Let this FIR also goes to CBI”, the judge added and directed the Additional public prosecutor to get instructions and inform the court in the afternoon.

In the afternoon, State Public Prosecutor A. Natarajan appeared before Justice Anand Venkatesh and informed him that the state government has already taken a decision to transfer the investigation in the main case to CBI and a government order has also been passed to that effect.

In his order, the Judge said the petitioner who apprehended arrest at the hands of the police for the offences punishable under sections 153, 153 (A), 505 and 469 IPC and section 66 of Information Technology Act seeks anticipatory bail.

The State Public Prosecutor A. Natarajan, appearing on behalf of the police submitted that the state government has already taken a decision to transfer the investigation in the main case to CBI and a government order has also been passed to that effect. The State Public prosecutor also submitted that all the connected cases in which independent FIRs have been registered were also going to be transferred to the CBI in order to ensure that a single agency investigate all the cases.

The State Public Prosecutor also produced the FIRs registered in all the connected cases against various accused persons. “In view of the specific stand taken by the State Public Prosecutor, no further orders need to be passed by this court at this point of time. If and when there is an apprehension of arrest for the petitioner even after the transfer of investigation, it is always open to approach this court and seek for anticipatory bail,” the judge added.