Former AIADMK minister arrested in 'rape' case

Former AIADMK Minister M Manikandan has been arrested in Bengaluru by the Tamil Nadu police. Earlier this week, the Madras High Court refused advance bail to Manikandan.

Bengaluru: Former AIADMK Minister M Manikandan has been arrested in an alleged sexual assault case on Sunday. The Tamil Nadu Police arrested Manikandan in Bengaluru. He had been "absconding" since he was booked over a complaint filed by a Malaysia-based woman, now settled in Chennai.

Earlier this week, the Madras High Court refused advance bail to Manikandan. Dismissing the application from Manikandan, Justice Abdul Quddhose pointed to the gravity of the alleged offences and the personality involved, and said while the probe is in a preliminary stage, there is no merit in the petition seeking anticipatory bail.

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The judge said that in the present case major offences were alleged to have been committed by the former minister which are grave in nature and there is also prima facie satisfaction about the registration of FIR. The custodial interrogation is necessary to elicit information from the petitioner. If granted bail, there is every possibility of him escaping from the rigours of investigation by using his influence, the court said.

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