DMK’s RS Bharati held in SC case; let out on bail
Amid high drama, the CCB of Greater Chennai Police arrested Rajya Sabha MP and DMK functionary RS Bharathi in the wee hours of Saturday in connection with his ‘disrespectful remarks about the oppressed community.’ However, he was granted interim bail citing coronavirus threat after being remanded till June 5. DMK president MK Stalin termed the police action as a diversionary tactic of the AIADMK government.
CHENNAI: Amid high drama, the CCB of Greater Chennai Police arrested Rajya Sabha MP and DMK functionary RS Bharathi in the wee hours of Saturday in connection with his ‘disrespectful remarks about the oppressed community.’ However, he was granted interim bail citing coronavirus threat after being remanded till June 5.
DMK president MK Stalin termed the police action as a diversionary tactic of the AIADMK government which is trying to hide its failures on COVID-19 front and corruption.
Stalin called for a meeting of district secretaries, MLAs and MPs on Sunday (via video call) to discuss the arrest. He also said the DMK would not hesitate to expose the corruptions of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
In a strong statement issued shortly after the arrest, Stalin said the atrocious action has been initiated after Bharathi had clarified and expressed regret for a speech he had made three months ago. It was shameful that Palaniswami regime has arrested him with complete disregard for the judiciary which is hearing two petitions in connection with the case under SC/ ST Act, including one praying for quashing the FIR registered against Bharathi, Stalin said.
Bharathi was arrested from his residence at Nanganallur around 5 am by an Assistant Commissioner-led team, based on the FIR registered by Teynampet police on March 12. This was based on a complaint lodged by ST Kalyana Sundaram of Athithamilar Makkal Katchi from Madurai.
Later, in response to the Chief Minister disowning the arrest, Stalin wondered, “Did Andhra police arrest Bharathi? How can it be unrelated if TN police arrested him? Who controls police department? Was he (CM) unaware of a related case pending before the court? Or did no one tell him?”
The DMK president said that Bharathi had exposed Rs 200 crore scam of the AIADMK regime and petitioned anti-corruption watchdog only on Friday and hence the CM, who was angered by the mask of the AIADMK falling apart, dispatched police to his house immediately.
“DMK is a great people’s movement. CM can never hide from the people or shun his moral responsibility for his abject failure in controlling the virus spread and corruptions during the lockdown,” the Leader of Opposition said.
It may be noted that Bharathi’s petition to quash the FIR against him is scheduled for May 27 hearing in the HC.