By Express News Service
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court granted anticipatory bail to P M Tamil Manthan, who was apprehending arrest in connection with the violence during anti-Sterlite protest in Thoothukudi.Tamil Manthan had been booked under sections 147 (Punishment for rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 436 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc) and 506 (ii) (Criminal intimidation) and Sections 3 and 4 of Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damages and Loss Act, 1992 by the SIPCOT police in Thoothukudi for his involvement in the protest against Sterlite plant in the district.
In his advance bail petition, he said he was informed of the charges levelled against him only when he had sought permission from the same court to conduct a memorial programme for the 13 protesters killed during the anti-Sterlite protest in Thoothukudi. .
Justice G R Swaminathan observed the petitioner do not seem to have played any role in the riot and accepted the anticipatory bail plea filed by the petitioner. He further directed Tamil Manthan to appear before the SIPCOT police at 10.30 am for seven consecutive days.
