RK Nagar bypoll campaign case: Madras HC directs police not to arrest Panneerselvam's son till Apr 17

The Madras High Court on Thursday directed police not to apprehend till April 17, the son and brother of former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, in a rioting case related to the RK Nagar Assembly by-poll campaigning.

Justice S Baskaran gave the interim direction when the anticipatory bail petitions of O P Ravindranath Kumar, son of Panneerselvam, and his uncle O Raja, came up on Thursday. 

The judge posted the matter to April 17 for further hearing.

The two had moved the petitions apprehending arrest in connection with the rioting and criminal intimidation case registered against them.

They alleged that police had foisted the case on them “due to malaise and political vendetta.”

According to police, the case was registered on a complaint lodged against the two that they, along with some other persons, had attacked a worker of rival AIADMK (Amma) faction in R K Nagar on April 6.

Also Read: AIADMK (Amma) leader alleges OPS faction for attack in RK Nagar constituency

The by-poll scheduled to be held on April 12 has been cancelled by the Election Commission over the use of money power to influence voters.