Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Gopal released from prison

By S. Vydhianathan

Photo: V. Ganesan

R.R. Gopal, editor, Nakkheeran, coming out of the Central jail in Chennai after he was released on bail on Saturday.

CHENNAI Dec.20. R.R. Gopal, editor of the Tamil biweekly Nakkheeran, who was detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), was released from the central jail here today after the Madras High Court granted him conditional bail on Friday.

A visibly tired Gopal was given a rousing reception by his employees at the prison entrance. Talking to newsmen, he said his release was the first blow to the "autocratic rule" of the AIADMK Government and first victory for his magazine. It was a victory for law and justice. He challenged the State Government to file any number of cases and said he was ready to face them.

Earlier, his supporters staged a slogan-shouting demonstration in front of the prison against the State Government and the jail superintendent, as there was some delay in releasing Mr. Gopal.

Mr. Gopal was first arrested on April 11 in connection with the murder of a police informant by the forest brigand Veerappan and a few other cases, and the POTA was invoked against him on April 16 after the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation department seized from him a country-made pistol with ammunition and a pamphlet in support of the banned Tamil Nadu Liberation Army.

When he moved the POTA court at Poonamallee for bail, his application was rejected. But subsequently the Madras High Court granted bail, which was stayed by the Supreme Court when the State Government challenged it.

Mr. Gopal was finally released on bail on a habeas corpus petition filed by his brother.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Gopal released from prison
• Apex court declines to stay bail
• Now, it's for allies to act
• Beginning of a secular front, says Opposition
• `Wings' awarded to pilots
• A breezy interaction with the President
• `Govt. offices must use all official languages'
• Jailbreak at Palayamkottai, fatal fall for fleeing prisoner
• Prevent animal transport, Maneka tells Government
• Programme in biotechnology
• Action against fishermen only for straying deep
• Educationists pay tribute to Maran

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu