In a relief to former mayor M Subramaniam, the Madras high court has granted anticipatory bail to him in connection with a land grab case registered by the CB-CID.
Noting that custodial interrogation of Subramaniam nor his wife was required in the case, Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan granted the relief to the couple on Tuesday. Concurring with the submissions of senior advocate P Wilson, the judge said: “The petitioners are ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on their appearance, within 15 days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the XI Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Saidapet, on condition that the petitioners shall execute a separate bond for Rs 10,000 with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the court failing which, the petition for anticipatory bail shall stand dismissed.” This apart, the judge also directed the petitioners to report to the investigating officer as & when required & not to tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioners had fabricated false documents & forged documents to grab the property belonging to SIDCO. The plots were registered in the name of the former mayor’s wife Kanchana illegally. Public prosecutor A Natarajan submitted that Subramaniam misused his official position to get the order of property tax assessment for the unauthorized construction put up by him in the land & to obtain electricity connection. Denying the allegations, Subramaniam’s counsel Wilson submitted that the petitioners had valid documents to establish that they are in lawful possession of the disputed property, which was originally assigned to S K Kannan by SIDCO.“There are 400 sites & the same were allotted to various persons. Kannan passed away on October 26, 2015, & during his lifetime, the property was assigned in favor of Kanchana through assignment deed dated June 16, 1996. Thereafter, his legal heirs also confirmed the said assignment & the petitioners have constructed a house.
