Chennai: Police plea seeking Karunas custody dismissed

Chennai: The XIV metropolitan magistrate court, Egmore, dismissed custody petition filed by the police seeking to grill actor and MLA S. Karunas, arrested recently for allegedly making uncomplimentary remarks allegedly made against the Chief Minister and police.

Karunas was arrested on Sunday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, his deputy O. Panneerselvam, the state police and a few media houses. While speaking at an agitation in Chennai organised by his outfit Mukkulathor Puli Padai recently, Karunas had made remarks against the Chief Minister and even dared a police officer to remove his uniform and come and fight him. He also issued a threat against the police officer.

In a 47-minute long speech, the video of which went viral on the social media, Karunas claimed that though he belonged to the Mukkulathors community, commonly known as Thevars, his loyalties stand with the Sasikala camp. He went on to say that many ‘disloyal’ members of his community had flocked to the EPS camp, in a reference to the deputy CM, who also belongs to the Thevar community. Nungambakkam police registered case against Karunas for criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity and disharmony, and issuing death threats.

He was remanded to Puzhal prison on Sunday and later shifted to Vellore central prison. Amidst tight security he was brought to the Egmore court complex at Allikulam on Wednesday.

When the custody petition came up for hearing before judge Roslyn Durai, additional advocate general P.H. Arvindh Pandian, who appeared on behalf the police, sought Karunas under police custody for seven days. 

He said police required custody to conduct a detailed investigation relating his speech. However, counsel appearing for Karunas, vehemently opposed the custody petition and stated that his custody under the police not required.

Judge Roslyn Durai dismissed the police plea seeking his custody.

Karunas and his associate, Selvavinayagam, who was arrested along with him, filed bail petitions. Directing the police to file reply to the bail plea, the judge posted the matter to Thursday for further hearing.

Meanwhile, Triplicane police have registered two more cases against Karunas in connection with violence against police and cricket fans in a protest against IPL matches in the city in April. He has been booked under sections 146, 148, 341,188, 294(b), 323, 324, 506 and 41(6) MCP act.