Shaji Purushothaman, son of liquor baron MP Purushothaman of Empee Group of Companies, arrested and remanded to judicial custody on June 13 last on the charge of killing a 13-year-old boy allegedly by his rash and negligent driving under the influence of alcohol on the night of May 22 this year, was granted conditional bail by the Madras High Court on Monday. He was driving a Mercedes on that fateful day.
Considering the fact that the other injured girl was discharged from hospital, the investigation was almost over and he was in jail from June 13, Justice B Rajendran said that he was inclined to grant bail to Shaji.
Shaji could be released on bail on his executing a personal bond for `5 lakh with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of XIV Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore. Of the two sureties, one must be a close relation, viz family members, the judge said.He should deposit another `5 lakh to the credit of the case pending before the Egmore Magistrate towards compensation for the deceased boy and it was open for his family members to approach the lower court for withdrawal of the amount on filing appropriate petition.