CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered the son and daughter-in-law of DMK MLA E Karunanidhi to surrender before the principal sessions and special court for SC/ST (PoA) Act cases within two weeks before seeking bail in a case of torture and caste abuse against a domestic aide.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh passed the order on Wednesday while disposing of petitions filed by Karunanidhi's son Anto Mathivanan and daughter-in-law Marlena Ann seeking direction to the special court to consider their bail plea on the same day of their surrender.
"In view of the amendments made to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, this court is of the view that usual directions that were issued by this court cannot be issued routinely in all cases. Therefore, the petitioners are directed to appear in-person before the special court within two weeks. The special court shall order reasonable, accurate and timely notice as mandated under section 15 A (3) of the Act to the victim or his/her dependent and on such service of notice, the special judge shall deal with the matter as expeditiously as possible on merits and in accordance with law," the judge said.
Anto Mathivanan and his wife were booked by the Tiruvanmiyur police under sections 294 (b), 324, 325 and 506 (i) IPC and 3 (1) (r) and 3 (1) (s) of SC/ST (PoA) Act based on a complaint lodged by the victim. They approached the high court seeking orders to the principal sessions court to consider their bail plea on the same day of surrender.