All related cases to be transferred to CBI

When the anticipatory bail petition moved by Gopal, who feared arrest following a complaint from deputy speaker Pollachi Jayaraman, came up for hearing before Justice N Anand Venkatesh, the judge said, “In view of the specific stand taken by the State Public Prosecutor, no further orders need to be passed by this court at this point of time. If and when there is apprehension of arrest for the petitioner even after the transfer of investigation, it is always open to approach this court and seek for anticipatory bail.”

Gopal had contended that foisting such a case against him was nothing but a blatant misuse of power, aimed at scaring other media from publishing any evidence in connection with the Pollachi sexual abuse case.

Cybercrime wing had registered cases against him under Sections 153, 153(A), 505, 469 of the IPC, and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act. While the IPC sections deal with wanton vilification and creating fear or alarm to the public, Section 66 of IT Act relates to sending offensive messages through a computer or other communication devices.

It may be noted that the Madras High Court had directed the authorities to take steps to delete all video clips on social media relating to the sexual harassment of women by the gang, which had allegedly used them to blackmail the victims.