21 more get bail in jallikattu violence case

Chennai: The principal sessions court, Chennai, has granted conditional bail to 21 more persons arrested in connection with violence during jallikattu protest.

The Arumbakkam police arrested them for torching Tasmac outlet, a fire tender vehicle belonging to Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services and police vehicle near Vadapalani on January 23.

When the matter came up for hearing before principal judge M. Nazir Ahamed, city public prosecutor M.L Jegan opposed the bail petition stating that they had damaged public properties worth Rs 14.61 lakh during the violence.

Jegan said during the protest, these 21 persons, including C. Gandhi, 46, G. Venkatesan, 48, Mohammed Saleem, 24, K. Anbarasu, 24 of Arumbakkam indulged in violence and set fire to a fire tender vehicle belonged to the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, a police vehicle and a state-run-Tasmac outlet in Arumbakkam. Three separate cases were registered against them for causing riots. Three among the accused absconded from the place.

The counsels for the accused denied the allegation and submitted that the police foisted the case against them. They did not indulge in violence. Many of them had no knowledge of jallikkatu and a few are North Indians. Several accused were bystanders, who were watching the events on the roadside. The police picked them up because they were seen in videos.

Granting conditional bail to them, the principal judge said that at this stage we cannot say who committed the offence and even the police may not know this. Later, the judge directed the accused to deposit '5,000 each for three cases. The judge also directed the accused to appear before investigating police every day till further orders.