CHENNAI: The Madras High Court is to pass orders on Friday on the anticipatory bail pleas of A.C. Shanmugam, Chancellor, Dr. MGR Deemed University, and three of his family members. They have moved the court for anticipatory bail, alleging that they have been charged with non-bailable offences out of "political vendetta."

Besides Mr. Shanmugam, his wife Lalitha Lakshmi, son S. Arunkumar, brother-in-law A. Ravikumar have sought anticipatory bail in connection with a case registered by the Maduravoyal police for offences such as rioting, trespass, assault on public servants and criminal intimidation. V. Srinivasa Gopalan, university director, has also sought anticipatory bail.

The petitioners said though the case, registered on December 9, had only bailable offences against them, it was altered later "with an ulterior motive."

In a complaint, J. Arumugam, village administrative officer, had alleged that a portion of the institution was built on poromboke land. On December 3, when the area was inundated, the management did not take any step to safeguard the hostel students. The accused also obstructed officials from rescuing students.

Denying the allegations, the petitioners said the management had acted swiftly and rescued all hostel students and lodged them in marriage halls and other places. The complaint was filed with "mala fide intention."

Case settled

Mr. Shanmugam has filed a fresh anticipatory bail petition in connection with a private complaint lodged by a former student, saying the matter had been settled out of court. He contended that he and Tajmul Ahmed had entered into a compromise on December 16. The necessary deposition was recorded by the II Judicial Magistrate in Poonamallee.

Arguments on another writ petition filed by the institution challenging the demolition notice issued by the Maduravoyal Municipality will continue before Justice V. Dhanapalan on Friday.

On Thursday, A.L. Somayaji, Additional Advocate-General, said the entire Abdul Kalam Block on the campus had neither planning permit nor building permit. As regards Mr. Shanmugam's claim that they had applied for regularisation, Mr. Somayaji said he was not entitled to the benefit as the application was made after December 2, 2003, the cut off date fixed by the High Court.

T.R. Rajagopalan, senior counsel for the university, who will begin his arguments on Friday, prayed for an interim injunction till then. The plea was turned down.

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