The Madras High Court today granted bail to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MLA GV Markandayan, who is facing threats charges arising out of his alleged threats and derogatory statements against the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, C Joseph Vijay.
However, Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan granted the bail, conditionally, on Markandayan giving an affidavit that he cannot make such comments in the future. The court also ordered the Vilathikulam MLA to be taken to the investigating officer two times a day for two weeks, with one exception, on the days when Parliament is in session in Tamil Nadu.
Markandayan is accused of making “abusive and threatening remarks” against the Chief Minister in a speech he made at a DMK thanksgiving function on 18 July. The prosecution claim that the MLA had said that he would be “deal with inside the Assembly” and that Vijay threatened to break his bones if there was any action taken.
On July 19, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against criminal intimidation and “enmity” after a complaint by TVK functionary in this regard. Markandayan was arrested a day later and is currently in judicial custody.
In the cause of the cases, senior advocate P. Wilson asked the Court to prevent the arrest from being in violation of the Court’s earlier orders that protected the rights of the accused. The state, however, did not object to the release of bail, but wanted restrictions to stop the MLA from repeating the statements in the future.