CHENNAI:The Madras High Court directed the State to file its response to the bail plea of a 23-year-old, who was booked for allegedly throwing mud at Forest Minister K Ponmudy while he was inspecting Fengal cyclone damages in Villupuram.
When the petition moved by the accused, Ramakrishnan from Iruvelpattu village in Villupuram, came before Justice Sunder Mohan for hearing, his advocate A Ashvathaman submitted that it was a false case foisted against the youth. The petitioner was lodged behind bars for more than 20 days, though the maximum punishment for the alleged charge is below two years, he said, arguing that there was no need to arrest him for the alleged offences.
Additional public prosecutor Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam sought time to obtain instructions from the police. After the request, the judge posted the matter to Monday for further submission.
On December 3, Minister Ponmudy, his son and Kallakurichi Lok Sabha member Gautham Sigamani, and district officials went to various cyclone-affected places in Villupuram.
As hundreds of villagers from Iruvelpattu staged a protest accusing no relief and rehabilitation provided to them, the minister went there to pacify the protestors. But even as the minister was trying to calm them down, some unidentified persons hurled mud at him and the officials.
The local police commenced investigation and booked a case against Ramakrishnan alleging that he hurled the mud at the minister. He was arrested and booked under 339, 294 (b), 353,355 and 506 (ii) of IPC.