The Hindu : Front Page : DMK legislator held in assault case

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Saturday, Nov 04, 2006
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DMK legislator held in assault case

Staff Reporter

— Photo: M. Vedhan

IN THE DOCK: V.S. Babu, DMK MLA, inside the Secretariat Colony Police Station on Friday.

CHENNAI: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLA V. S. Babu, representing the Purasawalkam Assembly constituency in Chennai, was arrested here on Friday on charges of assaulting CPI(M) cadres during the local body elections held on October 13.

Based on a complaint from Devi, a CPI (M) candidate of the 59th ward, that a group led by the MLA and his supporters assaulted CPI (M) cadre on polling day at the Corporation school in Nammalvarpettai Chinna Babu street, the Secretariat Colony police had registered a case.

Speaking to The Hindu , a senior officer said cognisable offence had been made out in the investigations and cases under Sections 147 (unlawful assembly of more than five persons), 341 (trespass), 323 (causing simple injuries) and 353 (not allowing officials to perform their duties) of the IPC registered against Mr. Babu and Chinnadurai, a DMK functionary of the 59th ward.

Bail granted

They were produced before the Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate R. Govindarajan for remand. As they had filed a bail application, the court granted bail on personal bonds of Rs. 5,000 and two sureties for a like sum each. Mr. Babu and Mr. Chinnadurai were also directed to appear before the court as and when necessary.

DMK leaders said the fact that a ruling party MLA had been arrested showed that the police were functioning without any interference. "It is as simple as this: there was a complaint. The police conducted an investigation and arrested one person. This person happened to be an MLA of the ruling party," a party functionary said.

The signal from the arrest was clear, said another senior leader. If the police took action against someone, the DMK would not seek to influence the force.

Asked about the arrest, a senior CPI (M) leader said the local CPI (M) district had preferred a specific complaint. The party wanted the law to take its own course, he said, adding they were more worried about the criminalisation of politics. "We agree that the criminalisation of politics did not begin with the local body polls. But the last civic elections were the worst instance of hooliganism. We have to stand up."

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