MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court granted bail to advocate Vanchinathan who was arrested on charges of instigating violence in the 100th day of anti-Sterlite protest in Thoothukudi on May 22.
The petitioner S Vanchinathan, an advocate and State Coordinator of the People's Rights Protection Centre, had been booked under various charges under sections 147 (Punishment for rioting),148 ( Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the IPC in connection with his role during the Thoothukudi protests.
Totally, nine cases had been registered against him by the district police and he was later arrested on June 20 after the High Court Bench denied him anticipatory bail.
While Vanchinathan was in remand, he approached the Bench seeking bail, denying that his role was fabricated by the police in the FIR. Pointing out the flaws in the charges framed against him, he sought bail.
Opposing it, the AAG Chellapandian, on behalf of the police contended that if given bail, Vanchinathan may involve in more anti-Sterlite activities which might lead to disruption of peace in Thoothukudi district.
Justice G R Swaminathan, hearing the arguments, granted bail to Vanchinathan, on certain conditions that the advocate should not verbally or physically involve in any anti-Sterlite activities and that he should not leave Madurai and appear before the concerned police when summoned.
The Judge further permitted that the police can register any subsequent cases against Vanchinathan if required but cannot arrest him under the cases when he is out on bail.
Vanchinathan was also granted bail for another case registered against him by Kodaikanal police in 2015.